Indian Air Force Day: Over 75 aircraft soar over Brahmaputra in Assam
Guwahati: The skies above the Brahmaputra River were transformed into a stunning spectacle on Sunday afternoon as the Eastern Air Command hosted a grand full-scale air show at Lachit Ghat in Assam's Guwahati.
The event marked the 93rd Indian Air Force (IAF) Day celebrations and made history as the first-ever air show of this magnitude in the Northeast.
Over 75 aircraft and helicopters flew in more than 25 formations, mesmerizing a large crowd of onlookers who gathered at the venue to experience the thrilling aerial performances. The show left thousands of spectators in awe, their cheers echoing across the riverfront.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya attended as the chief guests, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was unable to attend due to prior commitments. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also attended the event, adding prestige to the occasion.
The two-hour show, which took place between 12 pm and 2 pm, featured formations from seven different air bases, including Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Chabua, Hasimara, Bagdogra, and Panagarh. Each formation highlighted the rich heritage and geography of the Northeast, with names such as Lachit, Kaziranga, Manas, Barak, and Haati (Elephant) paying tribute to the region’s legacy.
The opening act of the show featured the LCA Tejas, flying under the call sign “Lachit,” in honour of Assam’s legendary general, Lachit Borphukan. The lineup also included formidable aircraft such as the Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage, Jaguar, Apache, IL-78 refueller, C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk-1), and Antonov AN-32.
The Rafale jet stole the show with its supersonic low-level passes, sending shockwaves of applause from the crowd as it soared over the Brahmaputra. Another highlight was a formation that paid tribute to Operation Sindoor, followed by an exhilarating performance by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT). The aerobatic team dazzled spectators with precision flying, executing inverted maneuvers, a DNA helix-shaped loop in Tricolour smoke, and a Trishul formation symbolizing the three branches of India’s defence forces—the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Surya Kiran team also formed a heart pierced by an arrow, dedicating it to the people of Guwahati, before finishing with a Tricolour aerial salute. The show ended with a gripping display by the Air Warrior Drill Team "Arjun," which showcased synchronized rifle drills and combat formations.
As the sky filled with aircraft and the air with excitement, spectators lined the riverfront, many shielding themselves with umbrellas from the hot afternoon sun.
The event concluded with a heartfelt musical tribute to cultural icon Zubeen Garg, featuring his timeless song Mayabini, adding an emotional touch to an unforgettable day.