Marking the 75th Republic Day, India witnessed a spectacular display of the armed forces’ prowess at Kartavya Path in the national capital on January 26, 2024. The ceremonial event showcased the strength and capabilities of Indian weapon systems, adding a patriotic fervour to the celebratory occasion.
Leading the impressive display was the first contingent, adorned in the distinguished uniform of the 61 Cavalry, commanded by Major Yashdeep Ahlawat. The 61 Cavalry holds the unique distinction of being the sole active Horse Cavalry Regiment globally, formed through the amalgamation of various ‘State Horse Units.’
The presence of the 61 Cavalry, with its rich heritage and unique role as a Horse Cavalry Regiment, added a historical and traditional touch to the Republic Day celebrations. The uniformed contingent paraded with precision, reflecting the discipline and excellence associated with the armed forces.
The Indian Armed Forces has been rendering its selfless service to the nation and its countrymen, ensuring stability and dominance on the frontiers along the Line of Control (LoC), the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and worldwide through UN Peacekeeping missions.
The Republic Parade 2024 was kicked off with a march by a band and marching contingent from France.
This year, the weapon systems which were showcased at the Republic Day parade include Tank T-90, Nag anti-tank guided missiles, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, Weapon Locating Radar System- SWATHI among others.
Tank T-90
The detachment was of Tank T-90 BHISHMA, led by Lt Fayz Singh Dhillon of 42 Armoured Regiment.
Bhishma Tank is a 3rd generation Russian Main Battle Tank armed with 125 mm smooth bore gun. T-90 functions on the hunter killer concept. It can fire four types of ammunition and also has the capability of firing a missile from gun upto range of 5000 mtrs. Bhishma tank can hunt and kill at night effectively with the help of thermal imaging sight. It also has ERA panels which makes the armour of this lethal machine even stronger.
The 46-ton giant machine can move upto a speed of 50 to 60 km per hour and can operate in all types of terrains effectively. The colours of the Regiment are FRENCH GREY, MAROON, BLACK. Its motto is ‘Karam Shaurya Vijay’ (Action Courage Victory).
Nag Missile System (NAMIS)
The next detachment was of NAG Missile System of Mechanised Infantry Regiment led by Capt Abhay Pandit of 17 Mechanised Infantry Regiment. The System popularly called NAMIS is a tank destroyer indigenously designed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory Hyderabad. It consists of a tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicle, which has a crew-less turret capable of firing six ‘Nag’ Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
The NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier) is a stretched, license-built BMP-2 with additional wheels, nicknamed “Sarath” in India. Classified as a tank destroyer, it is equipped with various electro-optical systems including a thermal imager (TI) and a laser rangefinder (LRF) for target acquisition.
The NAMICA carries a total of twelve missiles, with six in ready-to-fire mode and six in storage. It has a compact auxiliary power unit (APU) for silent watch operation, a fire detection and suppression system (FDSS) and nuclear, biological and chemical protection system (NBCPS). The carrier weights 14.5 ton in fully combat load and is capable of moving 7 Km/hr in water. NAMICA can fire missiles at a target located around 7.5 Km with hunter-killer sight capability and carries 4 Military personnel. Its motto is ‘Satrah Mech Har Maidan Fateh’.
BMP 2/2K
The next to the saluting dais was the mechanised column of Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP – 2 /2K of GUARDS Regiment led by Lt Shivam Singh of 23 GUARDS. ICV BMP-2 named SARATH, is a high mobility Inf Combat Vehicle (ICV) with potent armament and state of the art night fighting capability, which makes it capable to destroy any unknown enemy target upto a distance of 4 ICms at night. It can operate effectively in all battlefield terrains of desert, mountainous region or high-altitude area.
The ICV is equipped with 30mm Automatic Cannon Gun, 7.62mm PKT & Konkurs missiles, upgraded with Thermal Imaging (TI) night sights. Being an all-weather amphibious combat vehicle, ICV (BMP-2) is battle ready for full spectrum of challenges & conflicts and thus truly considered as Backbone of Indian Army’s Mechanised Warfare. While its motto its Pehla Hamesha Pehla, its war cry is Garud Ka Hoon Bol Pyare.
All Terrain Vehicles
The next detachment comprised of six modern specialist vehicles, to include ‘Quick Reaction Force Vehicles — Heavy and Medium, a Light Specialist vehicle, Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System, All-terrain vehicle and a Specialist Mobility Vehicle.
The detachment is led by Major Toofan Singh Chauhan, 5 Rajput on All-Terrain Vehicle, Lt Col Panmei Kabiphun on Light Specialist Vehicle, 19 Maratha Light Infantry & Capt Armandeep Singh Aujla of 2nd Battalion of the First Gorkha Rifles on QRFV.
Pinaka
The next detachment was of PINAKA of the Regiment of Artillery from 1890 Rocket Regiment, led by Lt Priyanka Sevda of 262 Field Regiment. Pinaka Multiple Launcher Rocket System is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured medium range, all weather and free flight artillery rocket system.
It is fully automated, offensive weapon system with each launcher boasting of 12 rockets of 214mm caliber having a range of 37.5 kilometer. Its motto is `Sarvatra Izzat ‘O’ Iqbal – ‘Everywhere with Honour and Glory’.
Weapon Locating Radar System- SWATHI
The next detachment was of SWATHI – Weapon Locating Radar System, led by Lt Deepti Rana of Regiment of Artillery.
Weapon locating radar SWATHI, developed by DRDO and Bharat Electronics Ltd, is highly mobile radar system designed for automatic first round detection SWATHI is a coherent c-band, passive electronically scanned phased array radar intended to be used as weapon locating radar and for direction of own artillery fire (DOOAF).
SWATHI is a two tatra vehicle configuration system comprising radar vehicle and power source cum bite (PSB) vehicle with twin generators and the auxiliary components. It has the capability to classify projectile targets and rejection of unwanted targets (Clutter/ Aircraft).
SWATHI being a phased array radar operates in Cband with fence detection mode of operation, ensuring first detection and tracking of shells, motors and rockets. In its secondary role, it can track and direct friendly artillery fire. The radar can provide corrections to projectile trajectory of friendly artillery to pin point the fire towards enemy.
Sarvatra Mobile Bridging System
The next detachment was of ‘Sarvatra Mobile Bridging System’ of Corps of Engineers led by Capt Suman Singh of 9 Rapid Engineer Regiment 15m Sarvatra Mobile Bridging System is a “Made in India’ specialized equipment to be employed by Engineer units for bridging over dry and wet gaps. This vehicle-mounted, multi-apron, mechanically-launched mobile bridge system is designed for speedy deployment and
retrieval under tactical conditions.
It has a capability of spanning a minimum of 15m in single span, and a maximum of 75m in multi-span. The deployed bridge equipment is suitable for the crossing of ‘A’ as well as ‘B’ vehicles upto a load class MLC-70.
Drone Jammer System
The next detachment was of Mobile Drone Jammer System and Advance Radio Frequency Monitoring System of the Corps of Signals. Upfront is the detachment of Drone Jammer System led by Lt Col Ankita Chauhan of 11 Electronic Warfare Battalion.
Drone Jammer System of Indian Army is used to detect and track drones and UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) signals (downlink), as well as ground control signals (GDT, Uplink) and to jam drone activities.
The electro-optical sub-system serves to identify, track and verify the target. Besides detection and tracking of drones, The DJ System can neutralize hostile drone activities using Directional high-power smart jamming of drone UAS control uplink signals. The DJ system is installed on two high mobility standard 2.5-ton vehicles.
The DJ system is equipped with electro-optical subsystem and RF sensors to scan the radio frequencies.
