The Indian Air Force’s celebrated Suryakiran Aerobatic Team is set to stage a major aerial display at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 8 October as part of the official Air Force Day celebrations, bringing a spectacular showcase of precision flying to Rajasthan's skies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to attend the event, which is also likely to be witnessed by National Cadet Corps cadets and children from special schools. The air display will take place during Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, the Indian Air Force’s flagship multinational air exercise, which commenced on 26 September and will continue until 12 October.

Flying nine Hawk advanced jet trainers, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team will perform a series of intricate formations and synchronised manoeuvres. The team is among the few nine-aircraft aerobatic formations in the world and remains the only active team of its kind in Asia.

The display is expected to last around 25 to 30 minutes and will be accompanied by live commentary for spectators.

Established in 1996, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team comprises some of the Indian Air Force’s most experienced pilots. Over the past three decades, it has performed extensively across India and represented the country at numerous international air shows.

The event forms part of the Indian Air Force’s broader “Power in Partnership” theme under Tarang Shakti 2026, highlighting cooperation, trust and operational coordination among participating air forces.

Throughout the exercise, aircraft and aircrew from participating nations have conducted joint flying activities designed to strengthen interoperability and improve coordination in complex operational scenarios.

Tarang Shakti 2026 has brought together eight foreign countries deploying air assets alongside India, while 32 nations are taking part as observers, making it one of the largest multinational air exercises ever hosted by the Indian Air Force.

Among the most closely watched participants is the US Air Force’s F-35 Lightning-II, whose presence marks the first appearance of the fifth-generation stealth fighter in an Indian military exercise.

France has deployed Rafale fighter aircraft, while the United Arab Emirates is participating with F-16 fighters. The exercise also features India’s indigenous Tejas combat aircraft, underscoring the growing prominence of domestically developed aerospace platforms.

In addition to fighter aircraft, the exercise includes complex mission profiles involving air defence, counter-air operations, reconnaissance, airlift missions and aerial refuelling, allowing participating nations to exchange operational experience and tactics.

The multinational deployment provides Indian and foreign air forces with an opportunity to operate alongside a diverse mix of Western, indigenous and advanced combat platforms in a realistic training environment.

Jodhpur has previously hosted displays by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team as well as the Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter display team, making the city a familiar venue for major aviation events. With the Suryakiran formation expected to paint the skies above the Blue City, the Air Force Day celebrations will serve as both a public spectacle and a demonstration of the growing cooperation between air forces participating in Tarang Shakti 2026.

The exercise is increasingly being viewed as a key platform for strengthening international military partnerships, enhancing operational interoperability and showcasing India's expanding role in multinational air power engagements.

Agencies