74th Republic Day celebrations | 21-gun salute to President: Indian field gun to replace British-era 25-pounder

The World War II vintage ’25-pounders’ were designed and made in the 1940s by the British and were put to action in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. The guns—which were considered versatile and accurate by the Army—were decommissioned in early 1990s and were since used only for ceremonial purposes.

“However, this year, the efforts are to showcase all indigenous equipment and thus the 105mm IFG will offer the 21-gun salute to the President. The ammunition of the 105mm IFG is also made in India,” an Army officer told The Indian Express on Monday.

The 21-gun salute begins when the sword of the Commandant of President’s Body Guards (PBG) comes down at the shout of ‘Rashtriya Salute’ for the President and is carried out through the duration the National Anthem is played. No shells are fired, and a specifically-designed cartridge—commonly referred to as blank round—is used to create the sound of firing.

Subscriber Only Stories

View All

The K Arun Prakash Interview: ‘My style is to highlight the composition a...

At international checkpoint, online system helps vehicles cross over sea...

Experts say Adani Group stock sell-off may not affect market, but deepens...

Delhi Confidential: Lok Sabha Speaker wants MPs to learn lessons from Pad...

Apply New Year promo code SD25

With a focus on self-reliance in defence, all Army equipment on display at the Republic Day parade will be indigenous, the Army said while addressing the media on Monday.

At the 90-minute-long Republic Day parade that will march from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort through the Kartavya Path, the Army will be represented by Mounted Columns of 61 Cavalry comprising 51 horses; nine Mechanised Columns comprising three MBT Arjun MK I; one BrahMos missile; two Akash missile systems among others; six marching contingents, and helicopters of Army Aviation as part of a 50-aircraft-strong flypast.

As per the Army, three Param Vir Chakra and as many Ashok Chakra awardees will participate in this year’s parade.
The Egyptian Army will participate in the parade as a foreign contingent. The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, will be the special guest for the parade.

A senior Army officer said preparations for the Republic Day parade started way back in September, and the drills comprise intense practices for the contingent, as well as for the equipment, some of which need to be painted afresh with special paints. The Egyptian contingent, too, has also been rehearsing since their arrival, the officer added.

Overall, there will be 16 marching contingents and 23 tableaux of various states, ministries and departments. There will be a veterans’ tableau as well at the parade as part of the Army’s marching contingent.

The event will also see a cultural performance by a group of 475 artistes and participation of 25 Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar winners. Another highlight of the parade is a team of “daredevils” motorcycle riders from Corps of Signals, co-led by a woman officer. Women will be part of the BSF camel contingent for the first time.

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, will be the Parade Commander, and Maj Gen Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, will be the Second-in-Command of the parade.

There will be a total of 45,000 spectators to the Republic Day event this year, as compared to over a lakh in the pre-Covid years. The physical invitation cards for guests and spectators have been replaced by e-invitations.

The week-long celebrations for the 74th Republic Day started on Monday and would end on January 30, which is observed as Martyrs’ Day.