From Bactrian camels to drones, Republic Day parade showcases India’s evolving military might
The contingent will be led by Captain Harshita Yadav, daughter of a retired Indian Air Force officer and an officer from the first batch of the Indian Army’s Remount and Veterinary Corps.
“This contingent is very uniquely curated,” Captain Harshita told The Times of India. “There are two Bactrian camels from Ladakh, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors (specially trained birds of prey) and 10 military dogs, most of them indigenously bred. They are all Army soldiers and have different operational roles.”
Perfectly adapted to extreme cold, thin air and altitudes above 15,000 feet, the Bactrian camels, which have been inducted recently into Army operations, can carry loads of up to 250 kg and traverse long distances across cold deserts. The Army has long relied on indigenously bred dogs, Captain Harshita said, trained primarily for detection — including explosives, mines, tracking, search and avalanche rescue — and protection, including assault roles.
“Training of birds like kites or any animal involves neuroscience,” she said. “Once you understand the science behind them and the training process, they are highly trainable.”
At a Republic Day press preview on Friday, IAF Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal said the S-400 air defence system, which shot down multiple Pakistani aircraft and a spy plane from over 300 km inside Pakistan — a “documented kill” — will be showcased for the first time at the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) tableau.
The tableau will highlight India’s victory in Operation Sindoor last year and the growing jointness of the three services during the decisive action. One side will display lethal weapons systems that proved critical during the operation, while the other will depict the destruction of infrastructure across the border in Pakistan.Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, said Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, GOC Delhi Area, will head the parade for the fourth time. He added that the parade will see several firsts, including the participation of the Shaktiban regiment, drone shakti, robotic mules, and the Ladakh Scouts.
The Army will also debut a Battle Array Formation, showcasing synchronised manoeuvres involving tanks, missile systems, drones and armoured platforms. Defence assets on display will include BrahMos, the Akash missile system, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Dhanush artillery gun, Shaktiban, and a static display of drones.
The newly raised Shaktiban Regiment in the artillery arm will also make its first appearance. The regiment is equipped with drones, counter-drone systems and loitering munitions. In all, 18 marching contingents and 13 bands will take part in the parade.
The Akash and MRSAM weapon systems are being fielded this year, while the Universal Rocket Launcher System (URLS) ‘Suryastra’, capable of surface-to-surface strikes up to 300 km, will be showcased for the first time, Maj Gen Dhillon said.
With European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attending as chief guests, a small European Union contingent, led by an officer of colonel rank and followed by four flag bearers, will also march in the parade.
Women officers will feature prominently this year. CRPF Assistant Commandant Simran Bala will become the first woman officer to lead an all-male contingent at the parade.
Captain Samira, a fourth-generation Army officer, will command an Army tableau depicting the success of Operation Sindoor. She said the tableau will display indigenously developed military assets and weapon systems used during the conflict with Pakistan, while also highlighting Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase several path-breaking innovations for national security, including the long-range anti-ship hypersonic missile (LR-AShM) and a tableau on naval technologies for combat submarines.
The Indian Air Force flypast will feature a formation named “Operation Sindoor”, comprising Rafale, Su-30, Jaguar and MiG-29 fighter jets. A total of 29 aircraft — including 16 fighters, nine helicopters and four transport aircraft — will take part in the flypast, symbolising the air force’s dominance during the four-day hostilities with Pakistan last May.
In all, 30 tableaux will roll down Kartavya Path, with “150 years of Vande Mataram” as the theme of this year’s Republic Day parade.
