New Delhi: Tanks, howitzers, infantry combat vehicles, fighters and many other platforms are showcased in the Republic Day parade held in the national capital every year. New inductions are brought to the public for the first time through this show of India’s military might.
As the armed forces have majorly showcased Made-in-India platforms with a thrust on indigenisation in recent years, this year’s parade will also focus on Made-in-India technology.
The parade will feature the Nag missile system, the Pinaka multi-role rocket launcher, the Swathi weapon locating radar, the Sarvatra Bridge System, the Advanced Radio Frequency Monitoring System, drone jammers, among others
But, the main attraction is the indigenously-made Tata-Airbus C-295 transport aircraft, which will fly for the first time. The C-295 aircraft will fly in the ‘Arjan formation’, flanked by two C-130 J aircraft in echelon. It was in September 2023 that Airbus officially handed over the first of 56 C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for gradually replacing the ageing Avros-748 fleet.
Four Tejas fighters will fly in a ‘diamond’ formation for the first time this year, though it debuted in 2017.
Equipment such as Advanced Radio Frequency Monitoring System and drone jammers also will be showcased for the first time on Kartavya Path. Advanced Radio Monitoring Systems help in providing situation awareness to the Army.
In 2015, the Republic Day parade included the maiden display of the long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine P-8I aircraft and the long-range advanced MiG-29K fighter plane. It was also during the same year that the viewers saw for the first time three all women marching contingents of the Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force
In 2017, the parade had several firsts to its credit. A contingent of the National Security Guard (NSG), popularly known as the Black Cat commandos, marched past the Rajpath.
Along with LCA ‘Tejas’, the Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C), or NETRA, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) marked its debut in the annual event.
Among the Army equipment, the Dhanush artillery gun made a debut as part of the Army’s mechanised columns comprising the Akash missile and the Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System.
Dhanush is a 155 mm, 45-calibre towed artillery gun with a range of 36 km, which has a demonstrated range of 38 km with specialised ammunition.
In 2018, Army’s attack helicopter Rudra, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) made a debut at the Republic Day fly past. The helicopter, based on HAL’s attack helicopter, Dhruv ALH Mk-IV, was already in operation with the IAF.
The next year, the K-9 Vajra and M777 howitzers made their presence felt at the parade. The K9-Vajra tracked self-propelled howitzers are built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with technology transferred from South Korean firm Hanwha Defense. The M777, a towed 155 mm artillery piece, is, however, of American origin.
In 2020, one of the main highlights of DRDO’s marching contingent was the display of Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT), which played a critical role in providing the necessary strategic deterrence. Mission Shakti, India’s first Anti-Satellite (ASAT) mission, was a breakthrough in demonstrating the country’s Anti-Satellite technology. That year, IAF’s newly-inducted helicopters Chinooks and Apaches — both American origin — also debuted in the parade.
The French origin Rafale was then unveiled before the people in 2021. The DRDO tableau included a model of the Akash New Generation missile.
In 2023, the Soviet origin IL-38 Sea Dragon, a reconnaissance maritime aircraft that served the Navy for more than 40 years, made its first and last appearance on the Republic Day parade. DRDO’s tableaux showcased the Land Surveillance, Communication and Neutralising platforms, D4 counter-drone system, TAPAS UAV, and the naval version of LCA Tejas for indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Tri-service contingent, pilots — why this year’s Republic Day Parade is set to be ‘women-centric’