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Namo Ghat air show: Suryakiran team to fly nine Hawks over the Ganga in Varanasi for IAF’s 94th year

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The Namo Ghat air show in Varanasi will feature the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team flying nine Hawk Mk 132 jets over the Ganga, the Ministry of Defence said in a release on 17 October 2026. The display is part of the Indian Air Force Display 2026, which marks the 94th anniversary of the IAF. Local reports describe the event, themed ‘Wings Over Ganges’, as running on several days between 22 and 25 October, with 25 October listed as a display day in every report seen by TrendDesh.

Namo Ghat air show: Suryakiran Hawk jets trailing saffron, white and green smoke during an aerobatic display
Suryakiran Hawk jets trailing saffron, white and green smoke during an aerobatic display Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

What the Suryakiran team will fly at the Namo Ghat air show

The ministry said the team’s Hawk Mk 132 aircraft are built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The pilots will fly loops, barrel rolls, inverted passes and the team’s well-known DNA manoeuvre, with nine aircraft moving as one formation and trailing saffron, white and green smoke. Five officers in the current team come from Uttar Pradesh, the release said, which makes the show over Varanasi a home-state performance for them. The ministry said the setting, with the city’s ghats and historic skyline, gives the public a chance to see the skill of the Service at close quarters.

Key Facts

  • Venue: Namo Ghat, Varanasi
  • Display team: Suryakiran, 9 Hawk Mk 132 jets
  • Occasion: IAF’s 94th anniversary (founded 8 Oct 1932)
  • Suryakiran: formed 1996, 850+ displays
  • Also listed: Rafale, Su-30MKI, Tejas, Sarang, LCH Prachand

Rafale, Su-30MKI and Sarang helicopters in Wings Over Ganges

Wing Commander Debartho Dhar, the defence ministry’s public relations officer in Prayagraj, has said the display will also include frontline fighters such as the Rafale, Su-30MKI and Tejas, according to reports by ANI and Varanasi Live. The Sarang Helicopter Display Team is due to perform, and the line-up also lists the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and transport aircraft including the IL-76, IL-78, C-295 and AN-32. Aircraft from the Indian Navy and the Indian Army are expected to take part as well. Hindustan Times reported that the show will highlight the legacy of the IAF’s Central Air Command. The statement said the event also aims to raise public awareness about the Air Force.

The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team flying in formation with smoke trails
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team flying in formation with smoke trails Photo: PIB / Ananth Y R (Government of India release, free to use with credit).

Indian Air Force at 94 and the Suryakiran legacy

The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 and completes 94 years of service in 2026. The ministry said the IAF has grown into a modern aerospace power, and the 2026 display honours the courage and commitment of its air warriors. The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team was set up in 1996 and has flown more than 850 displays in India and abroad, earning the title of ‘Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force’. According to the ministry, each show depends on long training, careful planning and full trust between the pilots and their ground crew. Spectators planning to attend should follow the district administration’s notices for the final schedule, entry points and timings.

Why It Matters: Air shows outside metro cities let more people see the IAF up close, and the defence spokesperson said the Varanasi event also aims to encourage youth to explore aviation careers.

Also on TrendDesh: Tarang Shakti 2026: IAF chief calls for integrated air power at CAPSS seminar · India women kabaddi team meets Ashwini Vaishnaw at Rail Bhawan after Asian Games gold

Source: PIB (Ministry of Defence, Lucknow), 17 Oct 2026 · Hindustan Times · NewKerala/ANI · Varanasi Live (Hindi)

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