• Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto watched India’s 76th Republic-Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, joining a select group of global leaders.

• Subianto was the fourth Indonesian President to attend the Republic-Day celebrations. Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day celebrations in 1950.

• India's new tactical missile Pralay, T-90 tanks and a parade of tableaux marched down Kartavya Path.

• A 352-member marching and band contingent from Indonesia also participated in the Republic-Day parade.

• This was the first time that an Indonesian marching and band contingent participated in a national-day parade abroad.

Highlights of the Parade:

• The 2025 Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path highlighted India’s evolving long-range tactical strike capabilities, particularly for the Indian Army. 

61 Cavalry

• The first Army contingent leading the mounted column was 61 Cavalry, led by Lieutenant Ahaan Kumar.

• Raised in 1953, 61 Cavalry is the only serving active horsed cavalry regiment in the world.

• It was followed by nine mechanised columns and nine marching contingents.

Missile and Artillery Systems Displayed:

• BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile

• Upgraded Pinaka Multi-Rocket Launch System (MRLS) – Range: 75 km

• BM-21 Grad 122mm MRLS

• Pralay Quasi-Ballistic Missile System

• Indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) – DRDO Tableau.

First-time Showcase:

• Pralay with Twin Launcher System

• Battlefield Surveillance System ‘Sanjay’ – Jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at a cost of Rs 2,402 crore, to be inducted in three phases between March and October 2025.

Pinaka MLRS

• The 214 mm fully automated Pinaka MLRS can launch 72 rockets up to 75 km within 44 seconds.

• The Army currently operates four Pinaka regiments, with six more on order.

Future upgrades:

• 120 km extended-range version in development.

• 300 km range enhancement under research.

Specialised Ammunition:

• High-Explosive Pre-Fragmented Rockets – Expected to increase range by 15-20 per cent.

• Area Denial Munition (ADM) System – Anti-tank and anti-personnel roles.

• Procurement contracts worth Rs 10,200 crore expected this fiscal.

Pralay Quasi-Ballistic Missile

• India’s first ballistic missile designated for conventional warfare.

• Twin launcher system showcased at the parade.

• Defence Acquisition Council has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for several hundred missiles for the Army and Air Force.

Key capabilities:

• Flexible range and warhead options.

• Preemptive strike potential against adversary assets.

Other Missile and Rocket Systems in Focus

• BM-21 Grad MRLS – Indian Army operates five regiments.

• Smerch MRLS – Three regiments, with a 90 km range.

• Nirbhay Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile – India’s longest-range cruise missile in advanced development; expected to be showcased in upcoming years.

• Light specialist vehicle Bajrang, vehicle-mounted infantry mortar system Airawat, quick reaction force vehicles Nandighosh and Tripurantak and the short-span bridging system were also on display.

Indian Army Contingents

• The Army’s marching contingents included the Brigade of the Guards, the Jat Regiment, the Garhwal Rifles, the Mahar Regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment and the Corps of Signals.

Indian Navy’s Participation

• The Indian Navy's contingent consisted of 144 personnel led by Lieutenant Commander Sahil Ahluwalia as the contingent commander and Lt Commander Indresh Choudhary, Lt Commander Kajal Anil Bharani and Lt Devender as platoon commanders.

• It was followed by the Naval tableau that showcased the newly-commissioned indigenous frontline state-of-the-art combatants, including destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri and submarine INS Vaghsheer, highlighting India's rapid progress in indigenous warship design and construction.

Indian Air Force Contingent and Flypast

• The tableau showcased the Indian Navy’s commitment to build a robust and self-sufficient defence ecosystem.

• The Indian Air Force’s contingent comprised four officers and 144 personnel, led by Squadron Leader Mahender Singh Garati.

• It was followed by a fly-past by three MiG-29 aircraft in ‘Baaz formation’.

Veterans’ Tableau and Nari Shakti Representation

• Another highlight of the parade was the veterans’ tableau, a heartfelt tribute to the unwavering spirit of the ex-servicemen towards the nation.

• Representing ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power) at the parade were veteran women officers — Lieutenant Colonel Ravinderjeet Randhawa, Lieutenant Commander Mani Agarwal and Flight Lieutenant Ruchi Saha.

DRDO’s Indigenous Defence Technologies

The DRDO tableau showcased indigenous defence systems, including:

• Quick reaction surface-to-air missile.

• Airborne early warning and control system.

• 155 mm/52-calibre advanced towed artillery gun system.

• Drone detect, deter, and destroy system.

• Satellite-based surveillance system, medium power radar Arudhra.

• Advanced lightweight torpedo, electronic warfare system Dharashakti.

• Laser-based directed energy weapon.

• Very short-range air defence system and unmanned aerial system.

Paramilitary and NCC Contingents

• Among the contingents marching down Kartavya Path were a 148-member all-women marching contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), led by Assistant Commandant Aishwarya Joy M.

• The Assam Rifles contingent was led by Captain Karanveer Singh Kumbhavat of 29 Assam Rifles. It comprised soldiers recruited from all over the country.

• The Camel contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) was under the command of Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh Kheechee.

• The all-girls marching contingent of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) was led by Senior Under Officer Ekta Kumari of the Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Directorate.

• The all-boys marching contingent was led by Senior Under Officer Prasad Prakash Waikul of the Maharashtra Directorate.

• The National Service Scheme (NSS) marching contingent of 148 volunteers was led by Deepak from Punjab.

The Dare Devils Motorcycle Display Team

• The Corps of Signals motorcycle rider display team, famously known as ‘Dare Devils’, carried out breath-taking stunts during a motorcycle display.

• The team showcased its bravery and determination through a number of formations.

• The celebrations ended with a jaw-dropping flypast by 40 aircraft and helicopters of the IAF.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)