Andhracafe.com- Bangalore, Feb 7 (IANS) Ever seen a combat aircraft fly in the reverse gear? In a breathtaking display of aerobatics, fighter pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) performed this feat and many more awesome manoeuvres at the inaugural ceremony of the Aero India show here Wednesday.

From daredevil formations by the Jaguars and Sukhois to aerial ballet by the Suryakiran aerobatic team, visitors to this inauguration event, including Defence Minister A.K. Antony, were treated to a scintillating display of precision flying by some of IAF's sharpest pilots.

The women especially had a special treat during the hour-long show when smoke-emitting Suryakirans painted the rich blue skies above the Yelahanka air force base with a heart, pierced by a cupid's arrow in a tantalising manoeuvre.

The hour-long show in the skies also featured formations like Dhruv, Small Boy, Albatross and Stallion with aircraft and choppers, including the IJTs, TU-142 Tanker, IL-78 Mirage 2000.

Also seen enjoying the feat were Kingfisher airline's flamboyant chairman Vijay Mallya, and Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, who is set to fly an F-16 combat aircraft Thursday.

With the government set to buy some 126 multi-role combat aircraft, some of the top contenders for the mega-deal also featured their wares - including Lockheed Martin's F-16, the F-18 Superhornet of the Boeing, Russian Mig-29 and the Swedish JAS-39 Grippen.

Some 500 companies from India and around 30 countries are participating at this year's Aero India show Feb 7-11 - the sixth in the series - up from 380 companies in the last edition two years ago as India positions itself as a regional hub for global civil and military aviation.