IAF flypast stuns crowd at Republic Day parade

Thousands of restless people were stunned into a brief silence, their eyes rolled towards skies and ears buzzing to the humming sound as the Indian Air Force planes roared over the majestic Rajpath during the 70th Republic Day parade on Saturday.

Imaginations flew as people stood motionless.

A huge round of applause broke the silence when four helicopters in inverted Y/Wine glass formation carried the national flag and respective service ensigns, marking the beginning of the flypast, a sought-after event during the annual Republic Day parade.

The Rudra formation, comprising three ALH Mk IV WSI helicopters, flew in 'vic' formation. The 'Dhruv' formation consisting of two advanced light helicopters and two armed version of the ALH named 'RUDRA' of Army aviation flew in 'Diamond formation'.

The Hercules formation, comprising three C-130J Super Hercules, roared past the Rudra helicopters, with people yelling and cheering the mighty aircraft.

A C-17 Globemaster flanked by two SU-30 MKIs of the Indian Air Force flew in globe formation at a speed of 500kmph while five Jaguar deep-penetration strike aircraft in arrow head formation flew at a speed of 780kmph.

The airborne early-warning and control system aircraft 'Netra' with state-of the-art early warning radar and a host of advanced electronic warfare equipment also made its presence felt during the flypast.

The flypast culminated with a lone Su-30 MKI, flying at a speed of 900 kmph, splitting the sky with a 'vertical charlie.'