This year, for the first time after Operation Sindoor, the Republic Day celebrations will see a combat parade instead of a ceremonial one. For the first time, on the duty path on January 26, marching contingents of all three wings of the Army, i.e. Army, Air Force and Navy, will be shown in combat role instead of traditional gear.
This year, the Indian Army’s formation will be seen on the duty line in the Republic Day Parade. For this, soldiers of the army’s special Bhairav ​​battalion and various scouts, tanks, cannons, rockets and missiles will be seen on the duty path in a manner similar to what is used in a battlefield.
Horse riding contingent will be seen in combat attire for the first time
The cavalry unit of the army participating in the parade will also be seen in combat attire for the first time. Apart from this, marching contingents and weapons of the Army, which took part in Operation Sindoor, have also been included. These include drone warfare and air defense missiles.
On Friday, Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff of the Delhi Area of ​​the Indian Army, held a press conference in the capital Delhi and shared information about the combat format of the parade. During this, the commanders of the marching squads participating in the parade were also present.
What will be special in the parade this time?
In a special conversation with ABP News, marching commanders associated with drones and air defense told how their units played an important role during Operation Sindoor. He told how this year a special glass bus has been included in the parade, which is a mobile workshop for making and repairing drones. In case of war, this bus will be taken to the battlefield so that along with repairing the drones of the soldiers, new drones can also be prepared.
Medium range surface to air missile will be seen in the parade
Army officials said that Akash and MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) have been included in the parade. During Operation Sindoor, Akash missile shot down Pakistan’s drone. MRSAM had shot down Pakistan’s Fateh missile in the sky near Sirsa airbase.
Captain Sajia told how a special tableau related to Operation Sindoor has been made a part of the parade. Also for the first time, T-90 and Arjun tanks will be displayed on the duty track.
This year, EU President Antonio Costa and Commissioner Ursula van der Leyen are the chief guests at the Republic Day Parade (26 January). In such a situation, a contingent of naval personnel of the European Union will also march past in the parade. A total of 6050 soldiers are taking part in the parade.
This year the parade will be shown in a new battle-array format. This army’s formation will be exactly the same as seen on the battlefield. First there will be a contingent of scouts and then infantry and mechanized and armoured. Apart from this, artillery i.e. indigenous attached cannon will also be seen marching on the duty path.
This time indigenous equipment will also be seen
This year the main theme of the parade is self-reliant India along with 150 glorious years of the national song Vande Mataram, hence most of the weapons and military equipment in the parade will also be seen indigenous. These include BrahMos, Akash and MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) apart from Sukhoi, C-295, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) etc.
The tableaux of states and central ministries in the parade will also reflect Vande Mataram – the mantra of freedom and prosperity – a glimpse of self-reliant India. Vande Mataram will also be the main theme in the cultural program in the Parade of Duty Path, in which 2500 artists are participating. The music of this theme has been given by famous musician MM Keeravani. The responsibility of commentary of this theme has been given to Bollywood actor Anupam Kher.
