R-Day show of strength: missile defence system on display for first time

The AAD,which has been tested successfully but needs to undergo more trials before induction,was the only new system to be displayed at this year’s Republic Day parade.

The parade was cut down this year by about 30 minutes with a lesser number of cultural performances and tableaux.

In the absence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,Defence Minister A K Antony officiated and received the chief guest,Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Antony also started the day’s function by laying a wreath at the India Gate Memorial.

The parade started on a sombre note with President Pratibha Patil posthumously awarding the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award,the Ashok Chakra,to 11 security personnel,including six who sacrificed their lives in the Mumbai attack.

The Army displayed its T 90 S Main Battle Tank,the OSA-AK air defence system,T 72 tanks with a mine plough,its BMP II armoured troop carrier and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). The Brahmos supersonic cruise missile system,which came under a cloud last week after a failed test at the Pokhran ranges,too,was on show.

Also on display for the second time was the nuclear-capable Agni III long range ballistic missile system with a range of over 3,000 km. The Akash surface-to-air missile system,which has been under the scanner for repeated delays and failures to meet the requirements of the Air Force,was also displayed.

The Navy’s tableau showcased its recently inducted INS Jalashwa warship that is used to launch amphibious operations. The second largest warship of the Navy had run into controversy after its induction with the CAG raising objections to the purchase of an ‘old’ US warship. An accident onboard the ship had left six sailors dead in February last year. Navy’s Marine Commandos were also seen on the tableau.

The IAF showcased some of its recent acquisitions,including the IL-76 aircraft-mounted Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS),Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer and the SU 30 MKI fighter aircraft.

The marching contingents of the Army included the Parachute Regiment,the Maratha Light Infantry,the Rajput Regiment,the Garhwal Rifles,the Kumaon Regiment,the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles,the Ladakh Scouts and the Territorial Army.

While the number of tableaux were cut down to 18 from last year’s 26,they included a float on the Jammu to Baramulla rail

link that is connected to the Kashmir Valley and a display by the National Disaster Management Authority.

With elephants missing from this year’s parade,children who were conferred the bravery awards took part in the function on military jeeps. The motorcycle display of the Corps of Signals drew a large round of applause.

As usual,the biggest crowdpuller was the Air Force fly past that featured its latest fighter aircraft and helicopters. A low-level display Jaguars,a display of air-to-air refueling by a pair of SU 30s with an IL 78 refueller and a ‘vertical charlie’ by the multi-role SU 30 MKIs wrapped up the Republic Day parade.