India set to showcase defence might on Republic Day

Ahead of the country’s 66th Republic Day, which will see US President Barack Obama, accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, gracing the occasion as chief guest on 26 January, India’s defence establishment is quietly getting ready to showcase the best of the nation’s military assets to the visiting dignitaries. Be it land, air, water or even space, a host of modern weapons and communications systems will be on display as they roll down the Rajpath on designated vehicles offering their salute to the Commander-in-Chief President Pranab Mukherjee. Following is a sneak peek of some of the military equipment that would be a part of the marching contingents on Monday: 1. Akash (Army Version) Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ordnance Factories Board and Bharat Electronics (BEL), Akash is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile that can target an enemy aircraft up to 30 km away. It can also carry a nuclear warhead and is at present operated by the Army and Indian Air Force. [caption id=“attachment_2062493” align=“aligncenter” width=“620”]  Akash (Army Version) passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2015, in New Delhi on 23 January 2015. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] 2. Satellite On The Move No warfare can be won in the modern age if there is lack of adequate information. The Satellite On The Move helps the Indian Army to gather information via surveillance and reconnaissance. The satellite also aids in giving exact information on the ground on a real time basis. [caption id=“attachment_2062507” align=“aligncenter” width=“620”]  Satellite On The Move passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2015, in New Delhi on 23 January 2015. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] 3. 3D Tactical Control Radar Designed by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, a DRDO laboratory and produced by a joint venture between BEL, Larsen & Toubro, Astra Microwave and Entec, Central acquisition radar (CAR) is a medium-range high-resolution 3D surveillance radar. The radar can handle 150 targets using a planar array antenna and provides simultaneous multi-beam coverage. [caption id=“attachment_2062527” align=“aligncenter” width=“620”]  3D Tactical Control Radar passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2015, in New Delhi on 23 January 2015. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] 4. BrahMos Weapon System BrahMos is the world’s fastest short range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land jointly developed by India and Russia. The missile travels at an incredible speed of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. [caption id=“attachment_2062587” align=“aligncenter” width=“620”]  Brahmos WPN System passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2015, in New Delhi on 23 January 2015. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] 5. Tank T- 90 (Bhishma) Used by the Indian Armed Forces, the T-90 is originally a Russian third-generation main battle tank that uses a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore tank gun, 1G46 gunner sights and thermal sights. Designed and built by Uralvagonzavod, in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, the standard protective measures of the Tank T- 90 (Bhishma) include a blend of steel, composite armour, smoke mortars, Kontakt-5 explosive-reactive armor, laser warning receivers, Nakidka camouflage and the Shtora infrared ATGM jamming system. [caption id=“attachment_2062635” align=“aligncenter” width=“620”]  Tank T- 90 (Bhishma) passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2015, in New Delhi on 23 January 2015. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] 6. Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters Developed by Russia’s Sukhoi Corporation and built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter. The aircraft integrates Indian systems and avionics as well as French and Israeli subsystems. [caption id=“attachment_2062647” align=“aligncenter” width=“620”]  Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters fly past during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi on 23 January 2015. PTI[/caption] 7. Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher system Built by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army, the Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher system has a maximum range of 40 km for Mark-I and 65 km for mark-II. Mounted on a Tatra truck, the launcher system can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds, neutralizing a target area of 3.9 km. [caption id=“attachment_2062651” align=“aligncenter” width=“620”]  Indian Army’s Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher systems are displayed during a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on 23 January 2015.[/caption]