Republic Day parade set to roll

24 January 2009

New Delhi: The Republic Day parade, an annual fixture, will once again roll down the majestic Rajpath on 26 January and it will be time to showcase the country's military prowess as well as its rich cultural heritage. Indian defence forces will put on display before the assembled public, dignitaries and the chief guest for the occasion, Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev, one mounted cavalry, seven mechanised columns and eight marching contingents.

Keeping the columns company will be 10 military bands.

The highlights of the parade would be the T-90 Bhishma tanks, the Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, OSA –AK combat vehicles, BMP-II infantry combat vehicle, Rakshak Striker bullet- proof vehicles and a motorcycle display by the 'Dare-devils' team of the Corps of Signals.

The parade will be led by Delhi Area General Officer Commanding Maj Gen KJS Oberoi.

In a unique twist the indigenously developed cruise missile, Brahmos, will get showcased twice, with the army displaying the land attack variant of the missile and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) displaying the naval variant on its tableau.

Other DRDO systems on display will include the Advanced Air Defence System (ADS), Akash missile and the long-range ballistic missile Agni III.