Rafales fly past in restricted Republic Day parade

NEW DELHI: The 72nd Republic Day parade in the national capital was held without a foreign head as chief guest for the first time and restricted due to Covid-19 protocols. The parade was toned down in terms of marching contingents and spectators.

In a first, a marching contingent of the Bangladesh Army was part of the parade to mark 50 years of the liberation war and Rafale fighter jets made their maiden appearance at the celebrations, enthralling the audience by showcasing a Vertical Charlie formation.

Several military systems were showcased at the parade, including the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile and a range of fighter jets that took part in the fly-past. Other equipment at the parade included T-90 tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles, Pinaka multi-launcher rocket system and Samvijay electronic warfare system. However, there was no display of nuclear capable missiles this time.


A running theme at the parade was the 1971 liberation war, with a vintage Dakota aircraft — the type used to inset paratroopers into erstwhile Eastern Pakistan — too taking part. The Indian Navy’s tableau too focused on the 1971 war, depicting its role in Bangladesh’s liberation.

Given the Covid-19 situation, only 25,000 spectators were allowed along Rajpath, down from the over 1 lakh who witness it annually. The marching contingents also followed a shorter route, culminating at the National Stadium instead of Red Fort. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was supposed to be the chief guest had to drop out after the spread of a new Covid-19 strain in his country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial at India Gate, ahead of the parade. He was accompanied by defence minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs.