DRDO displaying indigenous weapons on R-Day is an important milestone for India: Defence Experts

As the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be displaying some of its indigenous built missile systems in the 68th Republic Day, the defence experts on Thursday lauded the achievement saying it is an extremely important milestone achieved by India which would help it emerge as a superpower in the sub-continent region.

Speaking to ANI, defence expert P.K. Saighal said the feat is critical for India as it has historically been dependent on other countries for its major defence equipments.

"It is an extremely important milestone achieved by India. Since independence we have largely depended on foreign procurements for defending our nation and every time when there was a war like situation we were up against the tree. Sanctions were imposed, logistics managements were difficult and arranging spare parts was difficult," he added.

Resonating similar views, another defence expert Ranjit Rai lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative which made the DRDO propel its missile systems.

"DRDO has now begun to make strides in its missile programme and Make In India is taking off. Most of the missiles being displayed in Republic Day are all designed by DRDO," he added.

In a first, the Republic Day parade will witness the fly-past of three indigenously developed Light Combat Aaircraft Tejas Aircraft flying at a height of 300 m from ground in 'Vic' formation and the Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) developed by DRDO.

The Indian Army's missile firing capability, T-90 'Bhishma' tank, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2K, Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System, Weapon Locating Raddar 'Swathi', Akash Weapon System, CBRN will also be displayed.

Reconnaissance Vehicle and Dhanush Gun System will be the main draw in the mechanised columns.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tableau will roll down the Rajpath with the theme "Air Dominance Through Network Centric Operations".

The Tableau will display the scaled down models of Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, AWACS, UAV, Apache and Communication Satellite.

This year the Indian Navy's Tableau will have the theme 'Indian Navy - Professional Force-Anchoring Stability, Security and National Prosperity'.

The tableau showcases the lethal Marine Commandoes proceeding for action, the indigenously built Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class next generation attack submarines. The tableaux also displays a model of the P-8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The parade ceremony will commence at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where Prime Minister Modi will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath.

An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of our Armed Forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland.

As per tradition, after unfurling the National Flag, the national anthem will be played with a 21 gun salute. The parade will then commence and the President will take the salute.

This year's Chief Guest in the parade will be Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces.