All military gear to be showcased throughout the 74th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path will likely be indigenous, reflecting the nation’s deal with boosting atmanirbharta (self-reliance) within the defence manufacturing sector, mentioned Main Normal Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Employees, HQs Delhi Space, who would be the second-in-command of the parade.
The army gear that can function in India’s greatest ceremonial occasion will embody fundamental battle tank Arjun Mk-1, fast response combating automobiles, Okay-9 Vajra self-propelled weapons, Akash missile methods and Nag missile system, he mentioned. Lieutenant Normal Dhiraj Seth, Normal Officer Commanding, HQs Delhi Space, would be the parade commander.
An indigenous artillery gun – the Indian Area Gun – will likely be deployed for the ceremonial 21-gun salute, Kumar mentioned, briefing reporters concerning the last line up of the parade after the complete costume rehearsal.
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The military fly previous will contain two indigenous Dhruv superior mild helicopters (ALH) and two ALH weapon system built-in Rudra choppers, Kumar mentioned. The parade will embody a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, 9 mechanised columns, six marching contingents, and three Param Vir Chakra and three Ashok Chakra awardees, he mentioned.
As Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would be the chief visitor on the Republic Day celebrations, a 144-member marching contingent of that nation can even participate within the parade. The members of the Egyptian marching contingent have been drawn from the military, air pressure, navy and air defence forces, Kumar mentioned. This would be the fourth time that international troopers are participating within the Republic Day parade.
A French military contingent of 130 troopers took half within the parade for the primary time in 2016. Then French President Francois Hollande was the chief visitor that 12 months. A United Arab Emirates contingent took half within the parade in 2017 when the chief visitor was from that nation. A marching contingent of the Bangladesh military took half within the 2021 parade. The Bangladeshi contingent was invited at a time when the 2 international locations had been celebrating the golden jubilee of the beginning of Bangladesh.
One of many highlights of the parade final 12 months was the show of recent military weaponry alongside classic gear. The weapons showcased in 2022 included the surface-to-air Akash missile system, fundamental battle tank Arjun, BMP-II infantry fight automobiles and Dhanush artillery weapons, with the PT-76 and Centurion tanks, OT-62 Topas armoured personnel service, 75/24 towed gun and the Tiger Cat missile system providing a refreshing throwback to the Sixties and Seventies.
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Earlier than the parade begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying tribute to India’s fallen braves on the Nationwide Battle Memorial, a monument devoted to troopers killed in post-Independence wars and operations.
The parade will final 90 minutes. It is going to function a complete of 16 marching contingents, together with these from the armed forces, 19 bands and 27 tableaux, officers mentioned. For the primary time, girls will kind a part of the Border Safety Power camel contingent, they added, declining to be named. Three girls officers can even kind a part of the military contingent on the parade.
The Indian Air Power fly previous, one of many highlights of the parade, will function 45 plane, together with Rafales, Sukhoi-30s, Jaguars, C-130J particular operations plane and Apache assault helicopters.