DRDO Showcases Path-Breaking Innovations on Kartavya Path
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) displayed some of its path-breaking innovations for national security during the 76th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest.
The DRDO tableau, with the theme ‘Raksha Kavach—Multi-Layer Protection Against Multi-Domain Threats’ featured Quick Reaction Surface-To-Air Missile; Airborne Early Warning & Control System; 155 mm/52 Cal Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System; Drone Detect, Deter & Destroy; Satellite-Based Surveillance System; Medium Power Radar, Arudhra; Advanced Light Weight Torpedo; Electronic Warfare System, Dharashakti; laser-based Directed Energy Weapon; Very Short Range Air Defence System; indigenous Unmanned Aerial System; V/UHF Manpack Software Defined Radio for land forces; indigenous Secure Satellite Phone and UGRAM Assault Rifle.
Apart from this, DRDO’s major landmarks of 2024 were also showcased in the tableau posters namely Long Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile; Light Weight Bullet Proof Jacket ‘ABHED’; Divyastra, Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle; ‘Zorawar’ Light Tank and the Dornier Mid-Life Upgrade with radar, Electronic Warfare System, Software Defined Radio and Electro-optic (Shyen).
Highlighting its unwavering commitment to precision, self-reliance and national security, DRDO also displayed the equipment of Pralay Weapon System, a surface-to-surface tactical missile designed and developed with state-of-the-art technologies, which adds another layer of strength. Many other DRDO-developed systems, such as, Nag Missile System, Pinaka, BrahMos, Short Span Bridging System 10m, and the Akash Weapon System were also displayed in various armed forces contingents during the parade.
DRDO is primarily engaged in system definition, design and development of many state-of-the-art military systems and technologies for realising the goal of ‘Make in India and Make for the World’. DRDO is partnering with all stakeholders of the defence ecosystem, including academia, industry, start-ups and Services in developing critical systems, and to reinforce the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
In a first, a tri-services tableau participated in Republic Day Parade with the theme ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’. Displaying the spirit of jointness and integration, a Tri-services tableau showcased the conceptual outlook for jointness and integration in the armed forces, ensuring national security and operational excellence.
The tableau depicted a Joint Operations Room facilitating networking and communication among the three Services. It displayed a battlefield scenario demonstrating a synchronised operation on land, water and air with the indigenous Arjun main battle tank, Tejas MKII fighter aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, destroyer INS Visakhapatnam and a remotely piloted aircraft, reflecting the tri-services synergy in multi-domain operations. These platforms exemplified the vision to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.
2025 has been declared as the ‘Year of Reforms’ in the ministry of defence. Jointness and integration is at the core of the mandate allocated to the department of military affairs. These are identified as the key building blocks towards maximising combat potential of the armed forces in both, contemporary and future conflicts.
In addition to the tri-service tableau, the three Services had their own contingents as well. The Indian Army contingent was led by the mounted column of 61 Cavalry with Lt Ahaan Kumar at the helm. Raised in 1953, the 61 Cavalry is the only serving active Horsed Cavalry Regiment in the world, with the amalgamation of all the ‘State Horsed Cavalry Units’. It was followed by nine mechanised columns and nine marching contingents.
Tank T-90 (Bhishma); NAG Missile System along with BMP-2 Sarath; BrahMos; Pinaka Multi-launcher Rocket System, Agnibaan Multi-barrel Rocket Launcher; Akash Weapon System; Integrated Battlefield Surveillance System; All-Terrain Vehicle (Chetak), Light Specialist Vehicle (Bajrang), Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System (Airawat), Quick Reaction Force Vehicles (Nandighosh & Tripurantak) and Short-Span Bridging System were also on display. The marching contingents were drawn from the Brigade of the Guards, the Jat Regiment, the Garhwal Rifles, the Mahar Regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment and the Corps of Signals, among others.
The Indian Navy contingent consisted of 144 personnel, led by Lt Cdr Sahil Ahluwalia as contingent commander and Lt Cdr Indresh Choudhary, Lt Cdr Kajal Anil Bharani and Lt Devender as platoon commanders. It was followed by the naval tableau, depicting indigenous destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri and submarine INS Vaghsheer.
The Indian Air Force contingent comprised four officers and 144 personnel, led by Sqn Ldr Mahender Singh Garati, with Flt Lt Nepo Moirangthem, Flt Lt Damini Deshmukh and Fg Offr Abhinav Gorsi being supernumerary officers. It was followed by a fly-past by three MiG-29 aircraft in ‘Baaz Formation’.