Varanasi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) organised a historic air show in Varanasi on October 25, 2026, bringing more than 100 aircraft over the Ganga River. The event, called Wings Over Ganges, marked the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force and combined military aviation with the spiritual identity of Varanasi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the air show as “Magnificent!” The event featured fighter jets, helicopters, transport aircraft and special formations inspired by Lord Shiva and the cultural heritage of Kashi.
Varanasi Air Show 2026: Key Highlights
- Event: Wings Over Ganges
- Location: Namo Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Date: October 25, 2026
- Organiser: Indian Air Force
- Occasion: 94th Indian Air Force anniversary
- Aircraft: More than 100 aircraft
- Main Attraction: Fighter jets, helicopter formations and aerobatic displays
- Chief Guest: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Read also: What Makes Indian Air Force Sarang Team The World’s Most Unique Helicopter Display Unit?
Varanasi Air Show 2026: A Historic Air Show Over The Ganga
The Indian Air Force organised the Wings Over Ganges air show at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. The event brought military aircraft over the holy Ganga River and attracted large crowds.
The air show was organised to mark the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force. It also gave people an opportunity to see the strength, skills and flying abilities of the country’s air force.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The air show was the first major IAF aerial display over the Ganga in Varanasi.
More Than 100 Aircraft Take Part In Varanasi Air Show 2026
More than 100 Indian Air Force aircraft participated in the aerial display over Namo Ghat. The aircraft included 52 fighter jets, 32 helicopters, 15 transport aircraft and one vintage aircraft named Sarnath. The fighter aircraft included:
- Rafale
- Sukhoi-30 MKI
- Mirage-2000
- MiG-29
- Jaguar
- Tejas
These aircraft displayed different flying formations and demonstrated the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. The show also featured transport aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster and C-295, along with Dornier-228 aircraft.
PM Modi Praises Varanasi Air Show
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the concluding session of the three-day air show at Namo Ghat.
He watched the aerial display while wearing an Indian Air Force cap and sunglasses. The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, also presented him with a memento. After the event, Modi shared his appreciation for the show.
He described the Varanasi air show as “Magnificent!”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also praised the event and described Varanasi as a symbol of a strong, self-reliant and growing India.
IAF Aircraft Formations Inspired By Lord Shiva
One of the most special features of the air show was its spiritual theme. The Indian Air Force named several aircraft formations after Lord Shiva, his different forms and important religious places connected with Varanasi.
The formations included Kedaar, Hanuman, Omkar, Rudra, Shankar, Tridev, Bhairav, Kailash, Natraj, Mahadev, Vishwanath and Pashupati.
These names connected the aerial display with the religious and cultural identity of Kashi. The formations also showed the coordination, discipline and flying skills of IAF pilots.
Varanasi Air Show 2026: Sarang Helicopter Team Performs Aerial Display
The Sarang Helicopter Display Team was one of the major attractions of the air show. The team’s helicopters performed coordinated movements over the Ganga and entertained spectators gathered along the riverbanks.
The display demonstrated the pilots’ ability to fly helicopters together with precision and control. The performance also highlighted the Indian Air Force’s experience in helicopter operations.
Mi-17 V5 Helicopters Carry National Flags
The Omkar formation featured three Mi-17 V5 helicopters. Led by Group Captain Anuj Gupta, the helicopters carried the Indian Tricolour and the Indian Air Force flag.
The formation flew over the Ganga and displayed coordinated helicopter movements. The performance combined military aviation with national pride and the spiritual identity of Varanasi.
Chetak Helicopters Shower Flowers Over The Ganga
The Ganga formation featured three Chetak helicopters. Led by Group Captain Dipankar Das, the helicopters showered flowers over the river.
The formation added a spiritual and cultural element to the aerial display. The performance also attracted the attention of spectators watching from the ghats.
Sukhoi, Rafale And Jaguar Fighter Jets Display Their Power
The air show featured several frontline fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters performed aerial formations over Varanasi. The Neelkanth formation included three Rafale fighter aircraft, led by Wing Commander Kaustubh Nalawade.
The Pashupati formation featured four Jaguar fighter aircraft flying in a diamond formation under the leadership of Group Captain Mayank Pawar. These displays highlighted the flying skills of IAF pilots and the capabilities of India’s modern fighter aircraft.
Tejas Fighter Aircraft Becomes A Major Attraction
The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was another major attraction of the air show. The aircraft performed a solo aerial display over Varanasi.
The Tejas is developed in India and represents the country’s efforts to strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities. Its performance highlighted India’s progress in developing modern military aircraft.
Joint Military Formation Shows Coordination Between Services
The air show also highlighted coordination between the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The Tridev formation featured a Navy Kamov-31 helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopters operated by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
The formation demonstrated how different military services can participate together in an aerial display. The event highlighted the importance of coordination among India’s armed forces.
Surya Kiran Team Brings Varanasi Air Show 2026 To A Grand End
The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team performed during the concluding phase of the air show. The team used nine Hawk aircraft to perform coordinated aerial manoeuvres.
The pilots performed close formations, barrel rolls and other aerobatic movements. The display also included the Vijay formation.
The team’s performance brought the aerial show to a spectacular conclusion and attracted applause from spectators.
FAQs
More than 100 aircraft participated in the Varanasi air show. The display included 52 fighter jets, 32 helicopters, 15 transport aircraft and one vintage aircraft.
The Wings Over Ganges air show was held on October 25, 2026, at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. It marked the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force.
The air show featured Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar and Tejas fighter aircraft. These aircraft performed different aerial formations over the Ganga.
