Republic Day Parade to see many firsts: Suryastra system, Bhairav Battalion, Bactrian camels

Rocket launcher strategy ‘Suryastra’ with deep-strike capabilities, recently raised Bhairav airy commando battalion, and Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels volition beryllium portion of the Republic Day Parade for the archetypal time, officials said connected Friday (January 23, 2026).

Marking a first, the contingent members of the mounted 61 Cavalry volition beryllium seen successful conflict gear, and cardinal Army assets, including indigenous platforms accompanied with personnel, volition rotation down the Kartavya Path successful a “phased conflict array formation”.

The 61 Cavalry, known for its imposing beingness arsenic its members deterioration ceremonial azygous and a striking headgear, has traditionally been the starring contingent of the equipped forces successful the ceremonial parade.

The parade volition besides spot the debut of the Shaktiban Regiment, which has been acceptable up successful the artillery. The recently raised regiment volition beryllium equipped with a drone, counter-drone and loiter munition.

Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, told reporters that astir 6,000 defence unit volition beryllium portion of the parade.

The 77th Republic Day Parade connected January 26 volition besides spot galore different firsts this time.

A mixed scouts contingent seen successful their dense thermal cogwheel volition besides beryllium portion of the parade for the archetypal time, they said.

Bhairav airy commando battalion had besides made its Army Day Parade debut connected January 15 successful Jaipur. The battalion was raised astir October past year.

The defence assets that volition beryllium showcased during the parade volition see BrahMos, Akash rocket system, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Dhanush artillery gun, Shaktiban and a static show of immoderate drones.

Eighteen marching contingents and 13 bands volition instrumentality portion successful the parade that volition past astir 90 minutes, the Defence Ministry said.

An carnal contingent comprising Zanskar ponies, Bactrian camels and dogs volition besides beryllium portion of the parade, it said.

Bhairav Battalion has been introduced to “bridge the gap” betwixt the infantry and peculiar forces.

India volition showcase its subject mightiness and taste practice successful the ceremonial lawsuit that volition past astir 90 minutes.

Akash limb strategy and MRSAM strategy are being fielded successful this year’s parade. Universal Rocket Launcher System URLS ‘Suryastra’, which tin transportation retired surface-to-surface strikes up to 300 km, is being showcased for the archetypal clip successful the parade, Major General Dhillon said.

An carnal contingent comprising Zanskar ponies, Bactrian camels, raptors (kites) and Army dogs volition besides instrumentality portion successful this year’s parade.

Captain Harshita Raghav, who volition pb the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) contingent, said the contingent volition see 2 Bactrian camels, 4 Zanskar ponies, 4 raptors and a fewer Army dogs.

“These animals are soldiers of the Indian Army only. In fact, they are the soundless warriors, making them operationally ready, and knowing the requirements of operations from these animals are 2 precise important aspects. They are existent unit multipliers of the Indian Army,” she told PTI.

Raghav, a autochthonal of Madhya Pradesh, and whose begetter served successful the Indian Air Force, said she is “among the archetypal batch of women officers astatine the RVC”.

Officials said that successful a caller format introduced this year, cardinal Army assets including indigenous platforms, accompanied by personnel, volition rotation down the Kartavya Path successful a “phased conflict array formation”.

This means they volition determination down the ceremonial boulevard successful a enactment arsenic they would successful immoderate conflict scenario, starting with reconnaissance, followed by different subject units specified arsenic logistics and unit accompanying these platforms, who volition beryllium seen wearing conflict gear, they said, adding that this caller format seeks to marque parade-watching much engaging for spectators.

The aerial constituent volition besides beryllium shown successful a “battle array formation”.

The flypast astatine the ceremonial event, to beryllium held successful 2 parts, volition showcase a full of 29 craft including Rafale, Su-30, P8I, MiG-29, Apache, LCH (Light Combat Helicopter), ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter), Mi-17 helicopters successful antithetic formations and transport craft C-130 and C-295.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, will beryllium the main guests astatine the parade.

A tiny EU contingent, comprising an serviceman of the colonel fertile volition pb the delegation, Major General Dhillon said, adding that pursuing him successful their contingent volition beryllium 4 flag-bearers, riding 3 antithetic vehicles.

The Republic Day Parade volition statesman with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying homage to brave hearts astatine the National War Memorial successful New Delhi.

Lt. General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, volition beryllium the Parade Commander.

His son, Capt Ahaan Kumar, 26, a third-generation officer, volition pb the contingent of the iconic 61 Cavalry, an honour helium had successful the 2025 parade arsenic well, erstwhile helium had virtually followed successful the footsteps of his begetter who was the Parade Commander. He volition instrumentality to Kartvaya Path, on with his charger ‘Ranveer’, a Hanoverian breed, arsenic the contingent commander.

“Last year, we wore our ceremonial azygous and carried a sword. This time, we are seen successful our conflict gear, truthful it feels similar a caller acquisition successful this parade too,” helium told PTI.

The ascendant taxable of this year’s parade is 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.