The 76th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path was a landmark event, introducing several groundbreaking technologies and celebrating the spirit of integration among the armed forces. From the debut of the indigenous Pralay ballistic missile and the battlefield surveillance system ‘Sanjay’ to the participation of an Indonesian military band and contingent for the first time in a foreign parade, the event was marked by many firsts.
Missile Might Takes Centre Stage
Missile systems, new and upgraded, were on full display, captivating the audience. Among the highlights was the Pralay ballistic missile, which debuted on Republic Day. This indigenous short-range, quasi-ballistic missile is designed for conventional strikes. It will soon be inducted into the Army and Air Force following its Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) clearance. With its strategic significance, Pralay is set to become India’s first ballistic missile designated for non-nuclear roles, enhancing the nation’s conventional warfare capabilities.
Another first was the Sanjay Battlefield Surveillance System, an automated battle surveillance network jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited. Developed at a cost of Rs 2,402 crore, this system integrates ground and aerial sensor data to provide real-time battlefield awareness. From March to October this year, the system will be rolled out to operational brigades, divisions, and corps of the Indian Army in three phases.
Enhanced Artillery Systems
The upgraded Pinaka Multi-Rocket Launch System (MRLS), with a range extended from 37 km to 75 km, also took centre stage. Plans are underway to increase its range to 120 km further and eventually 300 km, solidifying its role as a critical component of the Army’s long-range artillery. Alongside Pinaka, the Army’s arsenal includes five Grad rocket regiments and three Smerch regiments, with 40 km and 90 km ranges, respectively.
Nag Missile System: A Tank Killer on Display
The indigenously developed Nag Missile System (NAMIS) showcased India’s cutting-edge anti-tank capabilities. This advanced system includes a crewless turret armed with six Nag missiles, a remote-controlled machine gun, and a smoke grenade launcher. The Nag missile is a fire-and-forget, top-attack anti-tank guided missile with a range of 5 km, capable of destroying heavily armoured targets in all weather and lighting conditions. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, NAMIS is a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology.
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was another showstopper renowned for its speed and precision. With an operational range of 400 km, the missile can penetrate deep into enemy territory with devastating impact. The 344 Missile Regiment, the youngest in the BrahMos fraternity, led this display under the command of Captain Suraj Singh. Established in 2015, the regiment has achieved significant milestones, including deploying BrahMos on 12×12 TATRA vehicles in challenging terrains like the Zojila Pass and maintaining combat readiness in extreme conditions.
Team BharatShakti
