New Delhi, December 01, 2007 (DefenceIndia News Service)

Displaying its extraordinary pulsating skills, the Indian Air Force's aerobatics team "Suryakirans" will make its debut in Malaysia next week when it performs at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2007 in Kuala Lumpur.

The Indian team will show off its skills along with the British Royal Air Force's "Red Arrows" and the Royal Malaysian Air Force's own Hawk, Su-30MKM Flanker, MiG-29N Fulcrum and F/A-18D Hornet pilots.

RMAF Air Division One Commander Major General Jusof Embong said Malaysia was grateful that the Indian team was able to participate.

"The presence of the Suryakiran aerobatics team augured well for Malaysia as the country is celebrating its 50th independence anniversary," Bernama news agency quoted him as saying.

Giving details of the team, Jusof said the team had a total of 13 pilots of whom only nine fly at any given time and were selected from the fighter stream of the IAF.

They must have experience in flying Mirage 2000s, Jaguars, MiG-23s, MiG-27 and at least 1,000 flying hours with Indian-made Kiran MKII before being able to be considered to join the team, he said, adding that the pilots are also qualified flying instructors and were regarded as among the best fighter pilots in the IAF.