India's 77th Republic Day Parade Highlights Military Strength with Operation Sindoor Displays
In a grand celebration of national pride, India marked its 77th Republic Day with a spectacular parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, featuring a significant showcase of military might through Operation Sindoor formations. This year's event, held on January 26, 2026, introduced a novel combat-sequence march, where military assets moved in an order mimicking actual battlefield operations, starting with reconnaissance and followed by logistics and personnel in battle gear.
Special Sindoor Formation in Flypast
The highlight of the aerial display was the Sindoor Formation, a powerful seven-aircraft lineup comprising two Rafales, two Su-30s, two MiG-29s, and one Jaguar aircraft from the Indian Air Force. This formation commemorates Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam attack, involving coordinated strikes by the IAF and Indian Army against terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
Comprehensive Military Participation
Overall, the flypast featured 29 aircraft, including 16 fighter jets, four transport planes, and nine helicopters from six bases. Additional formations dedicated to the operation's success included:
- Prahar Formation: Comprising three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) from the Indian Army and IAF, with the lead aircraft carrying the Operation Sindoor flag.
- Garud Formation: Flying in a battle array format alongside the Prahar Formation.
The flypast commenced with the Dhwaj formation, where four Mi-17 IV helicopters carried the National Flag and service flags, complemented by strategic assets like C-130, C-295, and P-8i aircraft, as well as attack helicopters such as ALH MK IV, Apache, and Light Combat Helicopter.
Tableaux and Technological Showcases
A total of 30 tableaux rolled down Kartavya Path, with 17 from States/Union Territories and 13 from Ministries/Departments/Services. Notable displays included:
- Veteran's Tableau: Featuring the Amar Jawan Jyoti, 3D models of historical war machines like T-55 and Vijayant Tanks, Hunter, MiG-21, Mirage, and Jaguar aircraft, and representations from the 1965, 1971 wars, and 1999 Kargil Operation Vijay.
- Naval Tableau by DRDO: Showcasing innovations such as the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) and systems like Integrated Combat Suite, Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo, and Air Independent Propulsion for submarine combat supremacy.
Emphasis on Indigenous Technology
The Defence Research & Development Organisation highlighted its contributions to national security, with the LR-AShM being a first-of-its-kind hypersonic glide missile with indigenous avionics and high-accuracy sensors. These displays underscored India's commitment to self-reliance and advanced military capabilities.
The parade, beginning at 10:30 AM, not only celebrated India's republic but also demonstrated its readiness and technological advancements in defense, making it a memorable event for citizens and observers alike.
