This year’s Army Day Parade will feature an all-girl marching contingent from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and the showcasing of robotic mules for the first time.
Additionally, four thematic tableaux will be displayed, including one highlighting the Army’s Mission Olympics Wing.
An all-women Agniveer contingent from the Corps of Military Police (CMP), Centre and School at Bengaluru, along with a set of robotic mules, will make their debut at the prestigious annual parade, defence sources confirmed.
The Army Day Parade will be held at the Bombay Engineering Group (BEG) and Centre in Pune, Maharashtra, on January 15, under the Army’s Southern Command.
In the evening, a programme named ‘Gaurav Gatha’ is scheduled to showcase the evolution of welfare, from ancient times to the modern era. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to attend the event, the sources said.
The theme for the 77th Army Day celebrations is ‘Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena’, focusing on demonstrating the capabilities of the Army in contributing to a stronger nation.
Various platforms will be displayed during the parade, including K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, BMP-2 Sarath infantry combat vehicles, T-90 tanks, Swathi weapon locating radar, Sarvatra Bridging System, Multi-Barrel Rocket System, ATOR N1200 all-terrain vehicles, drone jammer systems, and mobile communication nodes, sources in the defence establishment said.
"This year’s parade will include an all-girl contingent from the NCC and an all-women Agniveer contingent from the CMP Centre in Bengaluru, taking part for the first time," a defence source noted.
Furthermore, a set of 12 robotic mules will march alongside their handlers, marking their first appearance at the parade. These nimble, modern machines are capable of carrying loads, navigating inaccessible areas, and engaging militants.
"When they reach in front of the dais, the robotic mules will salute the dignitaries before continuing the parade," the source added.
In alignment with the parade’s theme, four tableaux will be showcased. One will highlight the Mission Olympics Wing, while another will focus on technology absorption in the last decade.
The veterans’ tableau and a tableau on green initiatives will also be displayed, showcasing the Army’s role in nation-building and environmental efforts.
The Mission Olympics tableau will feature athletes practising fencing and wrestling, alongside paralympic athletes who have brought laurels to the nation.
Army veterans like Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar will also be a part of the parade through this tableau.
The parade will also display efforts in adopting green measures, including Pune’s College of Military Engineering’s achievements in achieving net-zero emissions.
The Southern Command, which encompasses 11 states and four Union Territories, covering nearly 41 per cent of the country’s landmass, has organised this year’s Army Day Parade for the first time in Pune.
Traditionally held in Delhi, the parade was shifted to Bengaluru in January 2023 and to Lucknow in 2024.
Excerpt (40-50 words):
This year’s Army Day Parade features an all-girl NCC contingent, robotic mules, and thematic tableaux, showcasing modern capabilities and the Army’s commitment to technological advancement.
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