IAF Suryakiran Team to Perform Aerial Display at Somnath Ahead of Amrit Parv

The Indian Air Force is set to conduct its first Suryakiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) performance at Somnath on Monday, coinciding with the 'Somnath Amrit Parv' commemorating 75 years since the temple's restoration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event, which features a high-speed aerial display by six Hawk-MK132 fighter jets operating from Jamnagar airbase.

The jets, flying at speeds between 800 and 900 kilometers per hour, will execute synchronized maneuvers including the 'Diamond Formation,' 'Close Formation,' and multiple loops and rolls. At 11:00 AM, the formation will release colored smoke to create a large Indian tricolor in the sky over the coastal shrine.

Group Captain Ajay Dasharathi is leading the aerial exercise, with Squadron Leader Aman Goyal coordinating ground operations to monitor weather and safety parameters. The Bird Hazard Control team is working with local authorities in Veraval-Somnath to minimize wildlife risks by clearing waste and deploying non-lethal deterrents.

A full rehearsal is scheduled for May 10 at 11:00 AM, allowing officials to assess flight conditions and public visibility. The main performance will proceed as planned on Monday morning, following standard IAF safety and operational protocols.