Hit by a political row, Rafale jet was the cynosure of all eyes as the breathtaking display of manoeuvres by military aircraft and the aerobatic team cast a spell at Aero India, Asia's premier air show in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
The city's skies dazzled with somersaults and stunts by the metal birds, which also paid tributes to the Surya Kiran aircraft pilot killed in a mishap during rehearsal on Tuesday.
The might of the Rafale jet was in full flow as it roared into the skies at the Yelahanka air base, the venue for the event, giving a dazzling display with breathtaking manoeuvres.
The biennial edition of International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition -- Aero India 2019 was inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
Sarang helicopters perform during the inaugural day of Aero India show 2019. Enthralling stunts were performed by Sarang aerobatics teams with daredevil crosses and spins, that has been the mainstay of the Aero India for many editions. Photograph: ANI
The Jaguar, Tejas and Sukhoi 30 aircraft flew in the 'missing man' (aerial salute) formation in honour of Gandhi. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
Light Combat Helicopter performs. Photograph: ANI
French aircraft Rafale which will be drafted into IAF in six months, is also part of the Aero show. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
The Rafale aircraft flew at low speed to pay tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died in a mid-air collision between two aircraft of IAF's aerobatics team Surya Kiran during rehearsal on Tuesday. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
Light Combat Helicopters on display during the inaugural day of Aero India 2019. On static display among other things at the air show are HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (PT-1), Light Combat Helicopter (TD-2), Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra) and ALH MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit). Photograph: ANI
IAFs Dornier aircraft, flanked by HTT-40 and Hawk, manoeuvres during the air show. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
IAF's SU-30 MKI flies past during the show. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
IAF's SU-30 MKI manoeuvres at the Aero India show. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
IAF's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas manouevers. LCA also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who named it as Tejas, by performing certain sets of manoeuvres. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
Sukhoi and Tejas perform during the inaugural day of Aero India 2019. Photograph: ANI
IAF's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. The air display began with vintage Dakota aircraft, followed by formations of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and Light Utility Helicopter, DO-228, Hawk and HTT40 aircrafts. Photograph: ANI
