New Delhi: At the 26 January Republic Day parade this year, the Indian Army will for the first time have women officers from the Regiment of Artillery walk down Kartavya Path on mechanised columns.
The mechanised columns are meant to showcase indigenous equipment to underline the central government’s approach of ‘Atmanirbharta’.
Two pieces of equipment from the Regiment of Artillery — the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system and Swathi weapon-locating radar — will be showcased during the parade, represented by women artillery officers. A total of four women from the Regiment of Artillery will be part of the parade, according to the Army.
Women were commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery as officers in two batches in April and September last year. As of today, there are a total of 10 women officers in the regiment.
On the mechanised columns, the women officers will be on the drone jamming system, advanced radio frequency monitoring system, Sarvatra Bridging System of the Corps of Engineers as well as the medium range surface-to-air missile system.
The Republic Day parade will be commanded by Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi area. The deputy commander will be Maj. Gen Sumit Mehta.
French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the parade as chief guest this year.
The T90 tanks, Nag missile system and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle will be part of the parade, along with new-generation vehicles such as the specialist mobility vehicle, vehicle-mounted Indian mortar system and quick reaction vehicle, the Army said in a communication.
The Rudra Advanced Light Helicopter with integrated weapon systems as well as the Light Combat Helicopter will be part of the Army’s fly-past.
Army marching columns will include troops from the Madras Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Kumaon Regiment and Naga Regiment.
The Indian Army’s Corps of Military Police will be part of the tri-services contingent consisting entirely of women. The contingent will be led by a captain of the Indian Army. The supernumerary officers will be from the Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Army’s Bombay Engineer Group will be led by a woman officer. Indian Army troops will also be part of the tri-services Armed Forces Medical Services contingent.
Furthermore, the French contingent will be led by a woman fighter pilot. The contingent will be of French Foreign Legion, a corps of the French Army. It will include 130 troops, including the band and infantry marching contingents. The troops will be of Indian and Nepalese origin, among others.
Two Rafale fighter jets and one Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) will be part of the fly-past. The MRTT will be flown by a woman pilot.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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