Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday witnessed a spectacular aerial display by the Indian Air Force (IAF) over the Ganga at Namo Ghat in Varanasi, where fighter jets, helicopters and transport aircraft showcased India's aerial combat capabilities and aerobatic skills during the three-day event, Wings Over Ganges, marking the IAF's 94th anniversary.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh accompanied PM Modi during the final day of the event. The show lasted for more than an hour and featured a range of indigenous platforms and frontline military aircraft.
Wearing a white Air Force cap and dark sunglasses, PM Modi watched the display as aircraft manoeuvred over the river and Varanasi's ghats. The spectacle drew large crowds, with spectators waving the Tricolour and chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram".
PRACHAND FORMATION STEALS THE SPOTLIGHT
The indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand emerged as one of the highlights of the display. Six aircraft appeared in an Arrowhead formation, showcasing the IAF's aerial capabilities and formation-flying skills.
A separate combat formation brought together two indigenous LCH Prachand helicopters and two American-made AH-64 Apache attack helicopters in a Diamond formation, highlighting their battlefield air-support capabilities.
The display also featured indigenous platforms such as the Netra airborne surveillance system and the C-295 transport aircraft, alongside frontline fighters, strategic transport aircraft, surveillance platforms and aerial refuelling aircraft.
RAFALE AEROBATICS, SU-30MKI'S TRISHUL SPLIT
The fighter aircraft display showcased the manoeuvring capabilities of the Rafale and Sukhoi-30MKI. Rafale fighters performed high-performance aerobatic manoeuvres, while the Su-30MKI executed its signature three-aircraft Trishul split.
In another simulated combat sequence, a Su-30MKI intercepted two Jaguar aircraft in a one-versus-two engagement, demonstrating the fighters' manoeuvring capabilities in a simulated aerial confrontation.
Officials said the display featured several frontline fighter aircraft, including the Rafale, Sukhoi, Mirage 2000, Tejas, MiG-29 and Jaguar, alongside transport aircraft and helicopters.
The indigenous Tejas fighter also featured in the show, underlining the IAF's mix of domestically developed platforms and other frontline aircraft.
ARMY AND NAVY PLATFORMS JOIN IAF DISPLAY
The spectacle also highlighted coordination among the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with platforms from all three services participating in the programme.
The tri-service participation showcased interoperability across combat support, surveillance and maritime operations, underlining the importance of coordination among India's armed forces.
The presence of indigenous platforms such as Prachand, Netra and C-295 alongside frontline fighters, strategic transport aircraft, surveillance platforms and aerial refuelling aircraft further highlighted the range of capabilities represented in the display.
IAF officials told news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) that the aircraft on display included the Sukhoi-30MKI, indigenous Tejas fighter and LCH Prachand helicopters, among other platforms.
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