NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, OCT 6
A spectacular air show by the Indian Air Force (IAF) marked its 92nd anniversary at Chennai’s Marina Beach on October 6. This event, held just before Air Force Day on October 8, was the first of its kind in Chennai in 21 years.
Watch | #IAF_Flypast in Chennai | Oct 6, 2024
Marina formation: Three Su-30 MKI flying past in a ‘Vic’ formation.#IndianAirForceDay2024#IAF92ndAnniversary@IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/JnMAB8Fxkm
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 6, 2024
Despite the hot weather, many spectators, including families and children, gathered at Marina Beach. They came prepared with umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun while enjoying the aerial display. The clear skies provided an excellent view of the show, which was managed by the Air Traffic Controller at Chennai Airport.
Watch | #IAF_Flypast in Chennai | Oct 6, 2024
Mahabali and Suryakiran Formation: One C-17 aircraft and the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) fly past Marina Beach.#IndianAirForceDay2024#IAF92ndAnniversary@IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/JpIuqKLzmM
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 6, 2024
- The Indian Air Force made major preparations for the Air Show 2024 at Chennai to enter into the Limca Book of Records: Air Vice Marshall K. Premkumar
- Dignitaries such as Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin attended, underscoring the event’s significance
- The IAF’s Suryakiran aerobatic team and helicopter aerobatic formation Sarang enthralls the crowd
The highly-anticipated airshow 2024 of the IAF commenced at 11 am and was being watched by 15 lakh people with bated breaths at Marina Beach.
Chennai has enjoyed the spectacular show in its sky by the superstars – our #IAF heroes!
Thank you @IAF_MCC!#Airshow2024 pic.twitter.com/8ctBJHc33a
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 6, 2024
The air show featured an impressive array of aircraft such as Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters and Sarang helicopters. Also showcased were indigenously developed aircraft like the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. A total of 72 aircraft participated, performing maneuvers like “Loop-tumble-yaw” and a formation showering flares.
The theme ‘Bharatiya Vayusena: Saksham, Sashakt aur Aatmnirbhar’ (Indian Air Force: Capable, Strong, and Self-reliant) highlighted the IAF’s focus on national security and modernization. Dignitaries such as Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin attended, underscoring the event’s significance.
The air show also included heritage aircraft like Dakota and Harvard alongside modern jets like Rafale. Aerobatic teams Surya Kiran and Sarang wowed audiences with their precise maneuvers, showcasing the IAF’s aerobatic prowess. Garud Commandos demonstrated operational readiness through a simulated rescue operation.
Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi-30, Suryakiran, and indigenously developed HAL Tejas, among others, were on display at the airshow.
Earlier, expressing concern over bird strikes, the IAF requested people not to bring eatables while attending the airshow.
The IAF’s Suryakiran aerobatic team and helicopter aerobatic formation Sarang enthralled the crowd.
Chief Coordinating Officer of the Chennai Airshow, Air Vice Marshall K. Premkumar, said the Indian Air Force made major preparations for the Air Show 2024 at Chennai to enter into the Limca Book of Records.
The IAF conducted a full dress rehearsal at the airshow on Friday in coordination with the Tambaram unit of the IAF.
It is the third time the IAF conducted its airshow outside the national capital and the first time in South India.
In October 2023, the IAF conducted the airshow at Prayagraj, and in 2022, it was held in Chandigarh.
The Greater Chennai Police has deployed 6,500 cops and 1500 Home guards for the Chennai Airshow.
