PAF Sherdil promise spectacular treat for Karachiites tomorrow
The opening ceremony of the International Cricket Conference (ICC) Champions Trophy competition in Karachi on Wednesday (tomorrow) will include a spectacular aerobatic display by the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) world-renowned Sherdil Squadron.
The Champions Trophy will start with the Pakistan-New Zealand encounter in Karachi on February 19. A colourful ceremony would be held. The main attractions include the PAF aerobatic display, which would grace the city's skies after a gap of five years.
The Sherdil, which means lion hearted in Urdu, would fly Karakoram-8 aircraft, and perform complex manoeuvres during the demonstrations, including barrel rolls, loops and bomb bursts besides the coloured smoke. The Pakistani-made JF-17 Thunder, F-16 fighter jets will also be part of the display.
This Sherdil squadron first flew on September 19, 1974. Over the years, the squadron has displayed its skills at various international air shows, including in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 2020, the Sherdilshowed aerobatic skills over the Sea View beach in Karachi on first anniversary of downing an Indian jet.
The Karakoram 8 is an advanced Pakistan-made trainer aircraft, which is used to provide basic and operational jet training to the new pilots joining the PAF Academy, Risalpur. The plane has the ability to store weapons on its four hard points and a ballistic gun pod.
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