Indian Army to showcase Operation Sindoor, tri-services jointness at 77th Republic Day parade
New Delhi, January 23. The Indian Army will present a special tableau on Operation Sindoor at the 77th Republic Day Parade, highlighting India’s military success and the seamless coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force during the operation.
Briefing the media in New Delhi on January 23, Chief of Staff, Delhi Sub Area, Maj Gen Navraj Dhillon said the tableau would underscore the growing emphasis on jointness among the three services. He announced that the Army will also debut a Battle Array Formation, featuring synchronised manoeuvres involving tanks, missile systems, drones and armoured platforms.
Maj Gen Dhillon confirmed that Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar will lead the Republic Day parade for the fourth consecutive time. Around 6,050 military personnel will participate in the ceremonial march.
Several units will make their first appearance at the parade, including the Bhairav Battalion of the Shaktibaan Regiment and the Ladakh Scouts. The parade will also feature unique elements such as kites, Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels, marking their debut at the national event.
Providing details of the Operation Sindoor tableau, Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal said it would depict the symbolic launch of a BrahMos missile from an Su-30 fighter aircraft, representing the destruction of a Pakistani airbase during the operation. The display will also include air defence systems such as the S-400, which he said intercepted a Pakistani Air Force asset at a record range.
“The tableau reflects the country’s resolve and sends a clear message that when we fight together, victory is inevitable,” the Air Commodore said.
The S-400 air defence system, credited with safeguarding Indian airspace during the military confrontation with Pakistan in May last year, will be showcased at the Republic Day parade for the first time. The system will be part of the Department of Military Affairs tableau, themed ‘Tri-Services Tableau – Operation Sindoor’, emphasising joint operational capability and coordination.
Operation Sindoor was launched to target terror infrastructure following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. In August last year, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed that the S-400 system had shot down five Pakistani fighter jets during the operation.
In addition to the Operation Sindoor tableau, key military platforms such as Bhairav, Shaktibaan, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) will be on display.
A total of 30 tableaux will roll down Kartavya Path during the parade, including 17 from states and union territories and 13 from various ministries, departments and services.
According to the Ministry of Defence, this year’s Republic Day celebrations are themed ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The tableaux will mark 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram while showcasing India’s progress in self-reliance and its rich cultural diversity.
Several states and central ministries will present tableaux highlighting culture, development, tourism and indigenous capabilities, adding scale and symbolism to the national celebration on January 26.