Aero India: Surya Kiran makes a comeback after 6 years

The Surya Kirans were making a comeback after six years, with Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft

Aero India 2017, which kicked-off at the Indian Air Force's Yelahanka base in Bengaluru on Tuesday saw some thrilling action by Surya Kiran, the aerobatics demonstration team of the IAF on Thursday. The Surya Kiran team was making a comeback after six years, with Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft.

Here are some scintillating images from the event:

A dash of red and white

The Hawk Mk-132 painted in red and white is the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team's Come back vehicle quite literally. Six of these jet fighters are being used in displays for this edition of Aero India. Image courtesy: PTI

On the ground

SKAT team at the tarmac after a spectacular display on day three of Aero India at Yelahanka. Image courtesy: Anusha Ravi/Oneindia

Flooring audiences

Wing Commander Venu Nambisan tells OneIndia what it takes to be part of the Surya Kiran team that has floored audiences with its comeback at Aero India. Image courtesy: Anusha Ravi/Oneindia

Daredevils!

Wing Commander Ajit Kulkarni, the lead pilot, drives the team in the air. The display that you see in the skies is as per his bidding. Image courtesy: Anusha Ravi/Oneindia

Star attraction

The mean machines that have become the star attraction as far as aerobatics are concerned at 11th Aero India. Expect to see nine of them zoom past you in the next edition. Image courtesy: Anusha Ravi/Oneindia

First major public outing

The team has been practising since the last two years, and has performed before limited audiences. This is their first major public outing. In close formation, the wing tips are just 4-5 metres apart! Image courtesy: Anusha Ravi/Oneindia

Faster than a speeding bullet!

The new Hawks are capable of flying at much faster speeds than the Kiran Mk II aircraft, used by the team in 2011. The new Hawk Mk 132 aircraft can go as fast as 650 kmph, while the Kiran Mk II was capable of maximum speed of up to 450 kmph. Image courtesy: Anusha Ravi/Oneindia

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