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Suryakiran jets paint Meerut sky with tricolour trails during historic air show. (Img: Dynamite News)
Meerut: The skies above Meerut witnessed a spectacular display of India’s air power and aviation excellence as the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performed its first-ever air show in the city.
Nine Hawk MK-132 aircraft carried out precision formations, daring manoeuvres and breathtaking aerial stunts at the New Integrated Township in Mohiuddinpur, leaving thousands of spectators mesmerised. The event became a major attraction as the jets painted the sky with saffron, white and green trails, creating a patriotic atmosphere across the venue.
Organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan with the initiative of the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government, the air show attracted students, NCC cadets, families, professionals and aviation enthusiasts. The event showcased the Indian Air Force’s operational skills, discipline and technological capabilities while inspiring young people towards careers in defence services.
The Suryakiran team took off from Hindon Air Base and reached Meerut’s skies at around 10:25 am. As the nine aircraft entered the airspace, the crowd welcomed the pilots with applause and slogans of patriotism. Thousands of people had started arriving at the venue early in the morning to witness the rare aviation spectacle.
Students from more than a dozen schools, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers were among those present at the event. Along with youngsters, doctors, businessmen, entrepreneurs and families also gathered to experience the historic moment. The powerful sound of Hawk jets flying over Meerut created excitement among spectators as the aircraft performed complex formations with remarkable accuracy.
The biggest attraction of the event was the stunning coordination between the nine aircraft flying together. The jets first formed a V-shaped formation before rapidly changing patterns in the sky. The team performed challenging aerial movements including loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and DNA manoeuvres.
At several moments, aircraft flew at extremely low altitudes, creating thrilling scenes for spectators. One of the most exciting moments came when two jets moved towards each other and crossed paths at high speed with perfect timing. The aircraft also released saffron, white and green smoke trails, transforming the sky into a giant display of the Indian tricolour. These specialised smoke pods were developed at the Air Force Base Repair Depot in Nashik.
The air show became even more special for Meerut residents as three officers from the city were directly associated with the Suryakiran team. Squadron Leader Aman Goyal and Squadron Leader Rahul Singh participated in the aerial performance by flying Hawk jets, while Squadron Leader Sharad Goyal handled the ground coordination and management of the display.
Seeing officers from their own city taking part in the historic event increased excitement among local residents. The participation of Meerut’s air warriors became one of the biggest highlights of the programme. The event also delivered a message of discipline, dedication and national service to young students who witnessed the capabilities of the Indian Air Force from close range.
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team is one of India’s most recognised aerial display units and is part of the Indian Air Force’s 52 Squadron. Established in 1996, the team consists of 13 specially selected pilots, while nine pilots participate in air demonstrations. The pilots are chosen from experienced fighter aircraft operators who undergo specialised training for precision flying.
Over the years, Suryakiran has performed across different parts of India, showcasing the professionalism and skill of the Indian Air Force. The Meerut air show marked the team’s first performance in the city. According to Rajya Sabha MP Dr Laxmikant Vajpayee, the proposal for organising the air show in Meerut was submitted on May 13 and received official approval on September 8.
The air show created huge excitement among students and young visitors. As the jets changed formations in the sky, many students recorded every moment on their mobile phones. Several youngsters expressed their desire to join the armed forces after watching the performance.
The combination of fighter aircraft, patriotic music, tricolour smoke trails and precision flying created an unforgettable experience for many visitors. For students, the event became more than just entertainment as it provided a direct glimpse into aviation technology, defence careers and the role of the Indian Air Force.
Considering the large number of visitors, the district administration made extensive arrangements for traffic management, parking facilities, drinking water and crowd control.
Security measures were strengthened around the Mohiuddinpur area. A temporary restricted air zone of 10 nautical miles, around 18.5 kilometres, was declared until September 21.
The restrictions included a ban on drones, remotely operated aircraft, hot air balloons and other unmanned aerial vehicles to ensure safety during and after the air show.
Senior officials including Rajya Sabha MP Dr Laxmikant Vajpayee, District Magistrate Dr VK Singh, Chief Development Officer Nupur Goyal, ADM City, Municipal Commissioner and officials from various departments attended the event.
Img: Dynamite News
The Suryakiran performance in Meerut highlighted the growing importance of public defence exhibitions in connecting citizens with the armed forces.
Such events provide people, especially students, an opportunity to understand the technology, training and dedication behind India’s defence capabilities. The successful air show added another memorable chapter to Meerut’s history and strengthened public engagement with the Indian Air Force.
