Today, as India celebrated its 74th Republic Day, Kartavya Path in the national capital witnessed the brilliance of the armed forces outfitted with high-tech indigenously manufactured weaponry, news agency ANI reported.


The Republic Parade 2023 began with a march by an Egyptian Armed Forces contingent.


Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali commanded the first contingent in 61 Cavalry outfit. With the unification of all the 'State Horse Units,' the 61 Cavalry is the world's only operational horse cavalry regiment.


The Indian Armed Forces have been selflessly serving the nation and its people, guaranteeing stability and domination along the Line of Control (LoC), the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and globally through UN Peacekeeping operations.


With the purchase of assets like the Akash Missile System, satellites, Modular Bridges, towed guns, utility helicopters, electronic warfare system, and the like, the Indian Army's lethality, accuracy, and reliability saw a rise.


Only Made-in-India weapon systems, including ammunition, were displayed at the Republic Day parade this year. These included the 21 Gun Salute with "Made in India" 105 mm Indian Field Guns, the recently introduced LCH Prachand, the K-9 Vajra howitzers, the MBT Arjun, Nag anti-tank guided missiles, Akash air defence missiles, and Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles.


MBT Arjun


Captain Amanjeet Singh oversaw the ARJUN of the 75th Armoured Regiment. India's Defence Research and Development Organization created the third generation main battle tank MBT ARJUN on an indigenous basis.


Arjun is equipped with a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 120 mm main rifled cannon. It has a diesel engine with 1400 horsepower that allows it to go at a top speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph).


The recently created Kanchan armour offers substantially more all-around anti-tank warhead protection than equivalent third-generation tanks. Its catchphrase is "Sahasam Vijayate."


Nag Missile System (NAMIS)


The following detachment was the 17 Mechanized Infantry Regiment's NAG Missile System, under the command of Lt. Siddhartha Tyagi. A tank destroyer built in-house by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory Hyderabad, a division of the DRDO, is known as the System, or NAMIS in common usage.


A tracked armoured fighting vehicle with a crewless turret that can fire six "Nag" anti-tank guided missiles makes up the system.


For the Mechanized Infantry Recce and Support units, NAMIS has been designed to strengthen and improve the anti-tank capacity along our borders during offensive and defensive operations.


A Fire & Forget ATGM with an effective range of 5 kilometres, the Nag missile. The tandem warhead accurately destroys targets that are moving or attempting to flee thanks to its ability to lock-on before launch and top-attack.


The successful creation of this cutting-edge weapon system for the Indian Army, known as NAMIS, has catapulted India into the exclusive group of nations that have created their own fire-and-forget top-attack tactical ATGMs installed on AFVs. "Satrah Mech - Har Maidan Fateh" is its slogan.


BMP2/2 K


The mechanised column of the Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2 of the Mechanized Infantry Regimental Center, headed by Captain Arjun Sidhu of the 6 Mechanized Infantry Regiment, arrived at the saluting dais next.


High mobility Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) BMP-2, code-named SARATH, is equipped with deadly weaponry and has the capacity to battle at night. It can function well in various types of warfare environment, including desert, mountainous terrain, and high-altitude areas. Valor and Faith, which translates to "Veerta our Vishwas," is its slogan.


Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle (QRFV)


Captain Naveen Dhatterwal of the 3 Ladakh Scouts Regiment commanded the next detachment of Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles.


TATA Advance System and Bharat Forge Limited are producing these vehicles for the Indian Army as part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme, and they serve as a bright representation of the Indian Army's fight for independence.


This armoured platform with four four-wheel drive units can hold ten fully armed troops and has a 360-degree turret with a 7.62mm medium machine gun mounted on it. For soldiers deployed in Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, the vehicle was specially created.


The vehicle is also mineable and bulletproof, making it ideal for use as an escort vehicle and special response for CI OPS. With an OP range of up to 600 km and a top speed of 80 km/h, it can go up to a 25 degree grade. "Ki Ki So So Lahargyalo," which translates to "Victory to God," is the war cry.


K-9 Vajra-T (SP)


The succeeding detachment was headed by Lt. Prakhar Tiwari and consisted of the K9 Vajra-T of the 224 Medium Regiment (Self Propelled). The firing range of the K9 Vajra-T 155mm/52 Calibre Tracked Self Propelled is 40 kilometres.


Arid desert environment allows the Tracked Self Propelled Gun System to travel at a top speed of 60 km/h. It has been equipped with fully welded steel armour protection, and the design includes an automatic fire control system and a modular azimuth position system (MAPS). Sarvada Sarva Pratham, which translates to "Always the First," is its slogan.


Brahmos


Next up came a Brahmos detachment from the 861 Missile Regiment, under Lieutenant Prajjwal Kala. BRAHMOS is a supersonic, highly accurate cruise missile with a 400 km range that can precisely and effectively hit targets deep within enemy territory. "Swamiye Sarnam Aiyyapa" is its slogan.


10m Short Span Bridge


The 64 Assault Engineer Regiment's 10m Short Span Bridge, headed by Captain Shivashish Solanki, is a mechanically launched Assault Bridge built by DRDO to assist Combat Engineers in crossing tough barriers such as Canals or Nallahs in a matter of minutes. Agrani Ajay', which means "Always Leading and Unconquerable," was the slogan of the 10 metre Short Span Bridge System.


These bridges may be used by mechanised and armoured columns to traverse barriers quickly and defeat the enemy. These indigenous bridges demonstrate that no restrictions to mechanisation remain.


Forces of the Indian Army and are a step ahead in defence for Atmanirbharta. On September 30, 2023, the Regiment will commemorate 50 years of magnificent history.


Mobile Microwave Node and Mobile Network Centre


Major Mohd Asif Ahmed of 2 AHQ Signal Regiment oversaw the Corps of Signals' Mobile Microwave Node and Mobile Network Centre under the slogan 'Teevra Chaukas,' which means 'Swift and Secure? The column consists of two vehicles: a 'Mobile Microwave Node' and a 'Mobile Network Centre,' with Major Mahima Kataria of the 2 AHQ Signal Regiment in command of the latter. The Indian Army's Mobile Microwave Node is capable of providing high-speed operational communications to the Tactical Battle Area.


The Node is contained in an NBC proof ruggedised shelter and installed on a High Mobility Vehicle platform to give matching mobility and nourishment to mobile mechanised activities.


The vehicle may operate on optical, microwave, and satellite media to deliver triple play services to field formations in active conflicts, including voice, data, and video.


The Mobile Network Centre is a network vehicle of the future that enables network-centric operations.


It houses three critical functions: network operations, security operations, and the data centre. It multiplies force by boosting battlefield transparency and situational awareness.


The vehicle is equipped with an IMS core, aggregation routers, access switches, large screen monitors, and high-speed computing platforms, and has a crew of six headed by an officer. The mobile node was created in-house and supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Mission.


The next detachment is of the 27 Air Defence Missile Regiment's AKASH missile system — 'the Amritsar Airfield,' headed by Captain Sunil Dasharathe and accompanied by Lt Chetana Sharma of the 512 Light AD Missile Regiment (SP).


The Akash Weapon System is the first indigenously designed Air Defence System capable of launching Short Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SR-SAM) against enemy aircraft assets. "Akaash-e-Shtrun Jahi" is its motto.


Two Dhruv Helicopters and two Rudra Helicopters equipped with armament systems exhibited their power domination in the skies. Rudra Advanced Light Helicopters are sometimes known as flying tanks. Colonel R S Jamwal, Sena Medal of 205 Army Aviation Squadron (UH) with National Flag lead the Rudra formation, which was followed by Lt Col Sumit Kumar Uniyal and Lt Col Puneet in two Rudra helicopters and Lt Col Vijayat Goyat in the final Dhruv helicopter.


Wheeled Armoured Platform - WHAP 8x8 on 70 ton trailer


DRDO conceived and constructed the Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier, WhAP 8x8, which is transported on a specialised 70-ton trailer.


WhAP is an 8x8 wheeled fighting vehicle that is modular. WhAP is a cutting-edge customizable platform for roles such as infantry vehicle, CBRN vehicle, ATGM carrier, and so on. The Armoured Personnel Carrier model on show has a 30mm turret, composite armour, and cutting-edge blast protection. This amphibious vehicle can traverse rivers and canals and has a top speed of 100 km/h on the road.


The 70-ton trailer has advanced hydraulic suspension for improved manoeuvrability, steerable axles, and a hydraulic ramp for easy loading and unloading of huge goods. The trailer, which can negotiate severe curves and hills, has been extensively tested with MBT Arjun as cargo.


(With Inputs From ANI)