Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu, the official commentator, administrator, and Public Relations Officer of the elite Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), has become the vital link between the team and the public. Known as the “Voice of Surya Kiran,” she translates complex aerobatic maneuvers into engaging stories of skill, discipline, and national pride for audiences across India.
At 29, Sandhu hails from Panchkula near Chandigarh and comes from a distinguished military family: her father, Colonel Kirpal Singh, served in the Indian Army’s Artillery, and her mother, Brigadier Karamjit Kaur, was part of the Military Nursing Service. “With both my parents in the Army, the forces were always part of my life,” she recalls, adding that a pivotal personal experience ultimately shaped her career path.
An architecture graduate from the Manipal Institute of Technology, Sandhu initially pursued a civilian career. Her trajectory shifted dramatically during the Aero India show in Bengaluru in 2019, where witnessing an IAF aerobatic display left a lasting impression. “Seeing them perform up close stayed with me. That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of this world,” she said. Later that year, she cleared the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and joined the IAF, commissioning on 19 December 2020 as a Flying Officer via the 206 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course in the Administrative Branch. By 2023, she was selected for SKAT, where she serves as both its public face and operations manager.
Though not a pilot, Flight Lieutenant Sandhu plays a crucial role for Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic team, which flies BAE Hawk Mk 132 jets. Her live commentary guides audiences through intricate formations such as the Heart, Diamond, Loop, Grover, Dawn Light, and Combat Tejas, fostering understanding and connection. She has featured in numerous high-profile events, including shows in Ranchi (April 2025), Patna (Veer Kunwar Singh Vijayotsav, April 2025), Hyderabad (January 2026), Raipur (November 2025), Bengaluru (February 2025), and Chandigarh (Sukhna Lake, March 2026).
Sandhu consistently underscores SKAT’s mission beyond spectacle. “Many pilots in the team once watched Surya Kiran as children,” she noted in Hyderabad, highlighting how performances inspire the next generation. Her commentary emphasizes teamwork, precision, and patriotism, motivating youth to consider careers in the armed forces.
Beyond her professional duties, Sandhu advocates strongly for gender equality in the military. She has said, “In the Indian Defence Services, once you wear the uniform, there is no distinction between male or female. Any woman aspiring to join the IAF can achieve her goals.” Her role in SKAT reinforces the IAF’s commitment to inclusivity and serves as a model for aspiring female officers nationwide.
Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu’s rise reflects the evolving ethos of the IAF—valuing operational excellence, public engagement, and leadership. As SKAT tours the country, painting the skies with tricolour formations, her voice embodies professionalism, articulation, and dedication, symbolizing a new generation of air warriors who defend the skies while inspiring others to follow.
