After the Smokey Bandits

Before Kris Sakti, the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s display flying was done by the Smokey Bandits, who flew the MiG-29 at shows such as LIMA, the biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition. Kris Sakti, Malay for magic dagger, was formed in 2011 as a piston-engined aerobatic team of four Extra 300L monoplanes flown by RMAF pilots, with support from the private company Aerotree Defence.

Extra 300s over Langkawi

The pilots spent several weeks before the debut training with the Blades, a British civilian team that also flies the Extra 300, at Sywell. The team made its first public appearance at LIMA in December 2011. Aerobatic Teams reported at the time that it was unclear whether Kris Sakti would complement the Smokey Bandits or replace them; later activity of the team was not confirmed in the sources reached.