Sagar Pawan (transl. Sea breeze[1]) was an aerobatics demonstration team of the Indian Navy's aviation arm. The team was formed as a part of squadron551 in 2003. While in operation, it was one of the only two naval aerobatic teams in the world along with the Blue Angels of the US Navy.
The team used four modified Hindustan AeronauticsHJT-16 Kirantrainer aircraft, painted in dark blue and white colour scheme. The team was based out of INS Hansa in Dabolim, Goa and had performed across India on various occasions such as the Navy Day celebrations. In late 2010, the team was disbanded due to the shortage Kiran training aircraft.
The team performs using four aircraft and the aircraft are modified to generate colored smoke for displays. The team had performed across various venues in India and on occasions such as the Navy Day celebrations.[1][4][7]
In late 2010, the team was disbanded due to the shortage Kiran training aircraft. Commander of the squadron Thiagarajan said that the team would resume the aerobatic displays once the training schedule relaxed and that new BAE Systems Hawk aircraft would be inducted by 2013-14.[3][2]
Incidents
On 3 March 2010, a HJT-16 Kiran aircraft of the team crashed in Hyderabad while performing in an airshow.[8][9] Commander Suresh Kumar Maurya and Lt Commander Rahul Nair were killed in the crash.[3][7]