Watch India preparing to show its military might during Republic Day parade

NEW DELHI: The full dress rehearsal of the 67th Republic Day Parade was conducted here today morning on the same route for the parade to be held on January 26.

The rehearsal started from Vijay Chowk in New Delhi at 9.50 am and moved towards Red Fort in old Delhi, where it ended.

The parade will showcase India’s military might and cultural diversity. Out of the three defence services, the Indian Air Force will consist of an aerial flypast, a marching contingent accompanied by the IAF Band and a tableau. The flypast comprises 27 aircrafts of the IAF. Leading the parade would be the traditional 'Ensign' formation comprising four Mi-17 V5 helicopters in an inverted 'Y' formation. The second and the main phase will be led by 'Chakra' formation of three Mi-35 helicopters, followed by three C-130J Super Hercules aircrafts. This will be followed by the Globe formation comprising one C-17 aircraft with two Su-30 MKI aircraft.


India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft will make its debut in the parade.

(View the slideshow below to get a preview of the parade)


The Indian Navy tableau would showcase the lethal Marine Commandos. It will also showcase the indigenously built Kolkata class destroyer, flanked on either side by soon to be commissioned Kalvari class next generation attack submarines.

(Watch Indian Navy contingent marching on martial tune Jai Jai Bharati during the Full Dress Rehearsal this morning)

#RD2017 Naval Contingent on Rajpath marching on martial tune Jai Jai Bharati during the Full Dress Rehearsal this m… https://t.co/TRUi8AbrxT

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) 1485164483000

A UAE contingent is also participating in the parade. The UAE’s Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of its Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be visiting India from January 24 to 26 during which he will attend the Republic Day celebrations as chief guest.

India’s elite counter-terror force, the National Security Guard (NSG), will feature for the first time in the parade. The Special Forces para commandos were to also participate, but would not be able to due to the rotation policy of the parade.