Suryakiran aerobatic team wows Bhavnagar with 9-jet display over Gaurishankar Lake
Synopsis
Bhavnagar got its first-ever Suryakiran airshow on 1 November, with Asia's only nine-aircraft aerobatic formation tracing tricolour smoke trails over Gaurishankar Lake. The 40-minute spectacle doubled as a recruitment drive — simulators, career stalls, and a live military band brought the IAF to Gujarat's doorstep in a city that had never seen it before.
Key Takeaways
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team staged Bhavnagar's first-ever IAF aerobatic display on 1 November 2026 .
Nine Hawk Mk-132 aircraft performed for 30 to 40 minutes over Bor Talav (Gaurishankar Lake) , executing loops, rolls, and wingtip-to-wingtip formations.
The team, established in 1996 , is recognised as Asia's only nine-aircraft aerobatic formation with over 800 displays to its credit.
The display was commanded by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi and involved 13 pilots .
The event was jointly organised by the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation and district administration, and was free for the public.
An IAF career stall and air simulator provided youth outreach alongside the aerial performance.
The Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team on Sunday, 1 November 2026, staged Bhavnagar district's first-ever aerobatic display over Bor Talav (Gaurishankar Lake) in Gujarat, with nine Hawk Mk-132 aircraft executing precision manoeuvres for 30 to 40 minutes before large crowds gathered along the lakeside and elevated vantage points across the city.
What the Display Featured
The performance included close formation flying, wingtip-to-wingtip sequences, loops, rolls, and inverted flying. The aircraft — painted in red and white — released trails of saffron, white and green smoke that recreated the colours of the national flag against the Gujarat sky.
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, founded in 1996, is recognised as Asia's only nine-aircraft aerobatic formation and has conducted more than 800 displays in India and abroad. The Hawk Mk-132 jets flown by the team are manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Command Structure and Key Attendees
The team is commanded by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, with Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh serving as Flight Commander. The Bhavnagar display involved 13 pilots, backed by technical and operational ground personnel.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Nimu Bambhaniya, who served as chief guest. Air Vice Marshal GS Bhullar, Senior Officer Administration at Headquarters South Western Air Command, Gandhinagar, was among the special guests, alongside senior state ministers and elected representatives from the region.
Public Engagement and Career Outreach
The air show, organised jointly by the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation and the district administration, was open to the public free of charge. Beyond the aerial spectacle, the event featured activities aimed specifically at young visitors.
An IAF motivational stall provided information on career opportunities, selection procedures, and life in the service. An air simulator allowed attendees to experience aircraft controls and basic flying procedures. The Air Force Band of Headquarters South Western Air Command also performed martial tunes, patriotic melodies, and ceremonial compositions throughout the event.
Broader Significance
The Suryakiran team's motto — 'Sadaiva Sarvottam' (Always the Best) — encapsulates the precision and coordination demanded by its performances. Airshows of this scale are part of the IAF's broader effort to bring its aerobatic capabilities directly to civilian audiences and nurture interest in service careers among youth.
The Air Force acknowledged the district administration, municipal authorities, police, and other agencies for facilitating the event, as well as residents for their enthusiastic participation. With Bhavnagar now added to Suryakiran's map, the team's outreach across India's tier-2 cities continues to expand.
Point of View
And Bhavnagar's first display underlines how the IAF is deliberately widening its tier-2 city footprint. With a dedicated simulator, career stall, and military band, the formula is consistent: pair awe with opportunity. What is worth watching is whether this structured outreach translates into measurable enlistment upticks in smaller cities, or whether the shows remain one-day crowd-pleasers that leave no lasting institutional imprint. The IAF has not publicly quantified the conversion rate from airshow attendance to service applications — that data, if released, would be the real story behind the smoke trails.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team?
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team is the Indian Air Force's premier aerobatic display unit, established in 1996 and recognised as Asia's only nine-aircraft aerobatic formation. The team flies Hawk Mk-132 aircraft manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and has performed more than 800 displays in India and abroad.
What happened at the Bhavnagar airshow on 1 November 2026?
Nine Hawk Mk-132 aircraft from the Suryakiran team performed Bhavnagar's first-ever IAF aerobatic display over Bor Talav (Gaurishankar Lake) for 30 to 40 minutes, featuring close formation flying, loops, rolls, and inverted manoeuvres, while leaving tricolour smoke trails in the sky.
Who commanded the Suryakiran team at the Bhavnagar display?
The team is commanded by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, with Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh as Flight Commander. The Bhavnagar display involved a total of 13 pilots supported by technical and operational ground crew.
Was the Bhavnagar airshow open to the public?
Yes, the event was open to the public free of charge. It was jointly organised by the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation and the district administration, with spectators watching from designated areas around the lake and elevated points across the city.
What youth outreach activities accompanied the airshow?
An IAF motivational stall offered information on career opportunities, selection procedures, and life in the service, while an air simulator let visitors experience aircraft controls. The Air Force Band of Headquarters South Western Air Command also performed during the event.
