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With Obama looking on, Russian legacy to dominate at R-Day parade
When Barack Obama, the first US president to be the chief guest at the
Republic Day parade Jan 26, witnesses India display its defence prowess
and its diverse culture, what would come through for discerning military
observers is the legacy of the country's long-standing strategic ties
with Russia.
However, evidence of the new-found India-US
friendship will be at the tailend of the 90-minute parade in the shape
of US P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft, C-130J special operations
aircraft and the C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift aircraft.
The
Republic Day is the only time of the year when critical defence systems,
artillery, and equipment ranging from tanks to missiles is brought out
for public display. This year, like in the past, the three wings of the
armed forces will field their marching contingents and systems in the
parade, followed by a cultural pageant and the flypast.
However,
the Russian element will begin with Russian Mi-17 helicopters of the
Indian Air Force (IAF) trailing the tricolour and showering petals on
the spectators ahead of the parade and will continue with the Indian
Army's mechanised columns led by the T-90 Bhishma. India had bought this
main battle tank after delays in the production of the domestically
developed Arjun MBT - and to counter Pakistan's deployment of the
Ukrainian T-80UD.
Also marking its presence will be the BMP-II
(Sarath), the Indian license-produced variant of the Russian
second-generation, amphibious infantry combat vehicle introduced in the
1980s.
Similarly, the T-72 tank, which now has a trawl attachment to detonate mines, is of Soviet origin.
These
will be followed by world's fastest cruise missile in operation, the
Brahmos, which can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land
and is the pride of the Indian armed forces. It is a joint venture
between Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia and India's Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) through BrahMos Aerospace Private
Limited.
The flypast will include the Sukhoi-30 MKI, the most
potent fighter jet of Indian Air Force and another key venture between
India and Russia.
This will be followed by the Indian Navy's MiG-29K and its IAF variant.
India was the first international customer of the MiG-29 when the IAF ordered more than 50 in 1980.
As for the US aircraft, all three will be making their debut at the parade.
Perhaps this is what is meant by not putting all your eggs in one basket.
(Anjali Ojha can be contacted at [email protected])