Chennai: Met office has predicted grey skies and overcast weather conditions casting a cloud over India's biggest ever Air Show on the Marina beach front on Sunday.
But the weathergods showed mercy. Near clear skies paved the way for a spectacular display of air show witnessed by a record 15 lakh people which will etch IAF's name in the Limca Book of Records.
People from various parts of the city and other districts started flocking the beach front right from the morning to witness the show and the flypasts which were named in Tamil that included the epic Sangam era, King Cheran, Chozhan and Pandiyan and after late President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Earlier, as a prelude to the Air show, the IAF organised a brief fly past parade and displayed its weaponary that included various types of aircraft and helicopters at the IAF Air base in suburban Tambaram last evening in which tens and hundreds of people had a glimpse of the IAF's military strength.
A total of 72 aircraft including functional and vintage jets and transport aircraft and helicopters took part in the grand display of the IAF's prowess in Chennai skies as the vast coastline provided fitting picturesque backdrop to the fly past by LCAs, Rafales, Sukhoi-M30 and display teams by Sarang and other units of the leading military outfit.
Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the benefit of public and made traffic diversions and changes on the arterial beach road as a record 15 lakh thronged the World's second largest beach to witness the grand that showcased the IAF's full military might.
Giant speakers were installed all along the stretch to enable the public to listen to the live commentary.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, could not attend the event as he was out of station, and Chief Minister M K Stalin was on stage and witnessed the three hour long spectacle, that returned to the city after 2003, when 13 lakh people had witnessed it.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was expected to participate in the Air show, being held in Chennai after a gap of 21 years, could not attend, Defence sources told UNI.
However, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and newly appointed Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh participated in the event on the sands of the Marina where the public occupied every spot and witnessed the grand event.
Amid a sea of humanity, people carrying umbrellas in a bid to safeguard themselves from possible rains and the blazing sun, the sky high show began with Akash Ganga team members descending on the sands in parachutes.
The IAF showcased its might in the skies during the grand air show as part of the three-day programmes organised to commemorate its 92nd anniversary that would conclude with an IAF parade at the Tambaram Air Force Station on October 8.
This year's event is based on theme "Bhartiya Vayu Sena-Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar (Potent, Powerful, and Self-Reliant), highlighting the lAF's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation's airspace.
The people of Chennai were awestruck over the thrilling spectacle on the day, with 72 aircraft from the lAF prformed mesmerizing aerobatic manoeuvres and synchronized formation flying.
The air show featured performances by the lAF's elite teams Akash Ganga, renowned for their skydiving prowess, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, famed for their close formation aerobatics, and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team, known for their stunning aerial choreography.
Besides these acclaimed teams, lAF showcased flypast and aerial displays by a wide range of aircraft from its inventory, including the nation's pride, the indigenously manufactured state-of-the art Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Rafale, Sukhoi-30 Mk-I, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and Heritage aircraft like Dakota and Harvard will take part.
The event turned out to be an unforgettable experience for the public and once in a lifetime opportunity as IAF showcased not only India's military aviation excellence, but also the strength and capabilities of lAF, and its role in protecting the nation's skies.
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Live Stream - Indian Air Force Aerial Display at Marina Beach, Chennai. https://t.co/NvUI1WpBKY
The air show also saw women officers showcasing their skills both on air and on land.
An inspiring and trailblazing journey that began in 1992 when the IAF created history by becoming the first of three services to open its doors for Women Officers for the first time and later started training them as Fighter Pilots from 2015, is still continuing.
The event started with the arrival of top IAF officers at the venue and after a brief interaction with the dignataries, the event began with a flypast by 04xChetak Dhwaj in inverted 'Y' trooping with National and IAF flags.
It was followed by a Puyal formation flypast by Rafl hbigh subsonic run and Sangam formation flypast by three LHCs, chera Formation by Akota and two PC-7s and Pallava Formation by Harvard Single Ac Mano.
This was followed by Kalam Formation flypast by HTT-40 Mano in front of the grand stand and it was further punctuated with Kavery (DO-228), Kanchi (MIG-29s), Natraj (M-2000) and Dhanush formations by Rafales.
Then three Jaguars performed Nilgiris formation before Tejas entered the skies for Kartikeya formation flypast and three Su-30 MKIs forming Marina format, the highlight of the day's show.
After Chola and Pandiyan Formations, then came the Sarang, Mahabli and Suryakiran formations by nine Hawks that marked the culmination of the grand show.
After this the Chief Minister left the venue and was seen off by the top IAF officials and the CDS.
After a day's break on Monday, there were will be IAF parade display at Air Force Station Tambaram on Tuesday that would mark the end of the three-day festivities.
When contacted again, defence sources said Mr Rajnath might come up for the valedictory on Tuesday, though an official confirmation is awaited.