The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), alongside the Sarang helicopter display team and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), are set to awe spectators during the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). They will perform at an airshow at Galle Face in Colombo from March 3rd to 5th, 2021. This represents the first international show for the SKAT team since its revival in 2015 with Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT). The SKAT team last appeared in Sri Lanka during the SLAF’s 50th anniversary in 2001.
Insight into the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team
Established in 1996 with Kiran Mk-II aircraft, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team had been captivating audiences across India until 2011. In 2015, the team was re-established with four Hawk trainers, later expanding to a nine-aircraft formation.
Also known as 52 Squadron or The Sharks, the SKAT team operates from their base in Bidar, Karnataka. Since its inception, the squadron has performed over 600 shows across the nation and represented India internationally, notably in Southeast Asia and China.
As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, the SKAT team has been executing various formations over significant landmarks, starting from Kanyakumari in southern India.
About the Sarang Helicopter Display Team
The Sarang display team derived from the Advanced Light Helicopter Evaluation Flight (ALH AEF), formed in Bangalore in 2003 to assess the indigenous helicopter prior to its induction into operational service.
The Indian Air Force aerobatic team, named Sarang (meaning ‘Peacock’), includes four Indian-built Dhruv helicopters. These Dhruv helicopters are a type of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) constructed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore.
Spectacle of Aircraft in India
India’s aviation sector boasts an impressive array of aircraft, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk I and Mk II models, Rafale aircraft, Sukhoi jets, and more. The SKAT and Sarang teams’ performances add to this spectacle, illustrating the progress and achievements of India’s aerospace industry.
The upcoming 70th anniversary celebrations of the SLAF present a unique opportunity to witness a showcase of these feat of engineering, highlighting not only the technological prowess but also the skill and dedication of the pilots bringing these machines to life.