Pune Army Day Parade line-up: Women Agniveer contingent, NCC girl cadets to march for the first time

Every year, January 15 is commemorated as Army Day to mark the occasion when General (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir F R R Bucher, the last British commander-in-chief, in 1949, becoming the first Indian commander-in-chief of independent India.

Pune hosting the Army Day Parade holds significance that extends far beyond its symbolic value. It can be viewed as a celebration of the city’s rich military history dating back to the era of the Maratha empire. The event also aptly highlights the current military prominence of Pune, as it is home to numerous operational, strategic, and training establishments. However, it is most importantly a conscious effort to strengthen Pune’s future as a major defence research and industrial hub of India. All the events of the Army Day Parade and those in the build-up to it underline these three aspects.

This will be the third occasion on which a city other than New Delhi will host the Army Day Parade, in line with the Union government’s decision to hold events of national importance outside the national capital, in order to give them wider visibility and encourage citizen participation.

Joining the Women Agniveer Contingent from the Corps of Military Police and the NCC girls’ contingent will be the Army Service Corps Horse Contingent.

Joining the Women Agniveer Contingent from the Corps of Military Police and the NCC girls’ contingent will be the Army Service Corps Horse Contingent. Other contingents include those from the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre of Belgaum, Artillery Centre of Nashik, Army Ordnance Regimental Centre of Secunderabad, Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre of Ahilya Nagar, Madras Regimental Centre of Wellington, and the Bombay Engineer Group Centre, Khadki.

Another standout feature of this year’s parade is a mounted contingent, showcasing advanced weaponry, equipment, and combat vehicles. This display includes cutting-edge systems such as the K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, the BMP-2 Sarath infantry combat vehicle, and the formidable T-90 tanks.

In addition to the contingents, weapons and equipment, the parade will feature tableaux that capture the Army’s commitment to holistic development and nation-building. One tableau will spotlight the Army’s Mission Olympics initiative. Another will honour the role of veterans in nation-building, while another will highlight net zero carbon emissions, reflecting the Army’s dedication to climate resilience.

The parade will feature a technological infusion tableau, which highlights the Army’s integration of cutting-edge technologies to revolutionise modern warfare. Depictions include AI-powered decision-making systems, drone swarms, cybersecurity measures, unmanned ground vehicles, supply drones, blockchain-enabled logistics, and the adoption of 5G networks for seamless battlefield communication.

Pune’s Army Day Parade will also offer a rare opportunity for people to witness the latest advancements in military technology. Among the highlights are innovations like the robotic mule, a quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle designed for reconnaissance and perimeter security, and the Swathi weapon-locating radar, capable of tracking hostile artillery and ensuring precise counter-fire. The parade will also feature the Sarvatra bridging system, a rapid-deployment assault bridge developed indigenously, and the multi-barrel rocket system.

One cannot overlook the Ator N1200 all-terrain vehicle, an amphibious marvel designed to operate seamlessly across swamps, snow, and even water bodies. The mounted infantry mortar system, drone jammer systems, and mobile communication nodes will also feature in the parade.

The entry to the main parade on January 15 and other events is by invitation. Some seats are reserved for the students of the designated schools who have been invited for the parade. The Army has launched the ADP (Army Day Parade) 25 app through which limited seats are available for people to book. People can also check details of other events on the app. The main event is going to be streamed live on YouTube and social media platforms of the Army and the Southern Command. The ADP 25 app also has a provision to watch the parade live.