IAF re-raises aerial display team SuryaKiran; targets first new performance in October

NEW DELHI: After a gap of over four years, the Air Force is again forming up its aerobatic display team with a first new performance being targeted for October to coincide with the Air Force Day celebrations. A senior Air Force official told ET that preparatory work has already started and that team members have started training on the Hawk aircraft to put up a short display at the Hindon airbase on October 8.

Several ace pilots have been posted to the Bidar based 52 Squadron, nicknamed `The Sharks’ and maneuvers and practice runs are being undertaken on the high performance Hawk advanced trainer jets. While the SuryaKiran team – which performed on Kiran Mk 2 trainers - was a nine aircraft formation, the initial display by the revived display team could involve as few as four planes, officials said.

“We have started already and are confident that the team will come up with a brilliant display. The target date in in October and a decision has been taken not to rename the team as the name Suryakiran is known across the world,” a senior IAF officer said.

The IAF was forced to disband the immensely popular aerobatic team in 2011 following an acute shortage of trainer aircraft. With the grounding of the HPT 32 basic trainers, the IAF had to train pilots of Kiran Mk 2 that were earlier used for intermediate training. The 12 aircraft with the SuryaKirans were therefore transferred back for training missions.

However, with the recent arrival of the Pilatus PC 7 basic trainers, the strain has eased somewhat. Also, the IAF has been able to induct the British origin Hawk trainer in large numbers with 70 now in service and 36 more expected in the coming months. The IAF is also expected to lay out an order for 28 additional Hawk trainers, some of which would be transferred to the Suryakiran team. This additional order – to be place on HAL – is however still to be signed.