RepublicDay parade highlightsIndia's military might

  New  Delhi:India’s military might and cultural vibrancy were on display at the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath on Saturday, Jan 26th, 2013
India  displayed its  advanced weaponry capability lead by the Agni-5 inter-continental ballistic missile(which can reach targets deep inside China) from India's Defence Research&Development Organization    

  as the showstopper 

The DRDO also displayed the Armoured Amphibious Dozer (AAD), an indigenously developed versatile Combat Engineer support equipment with excellent earth moving and amphibious capabilities in varied terrain.  Besides Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System and Naval Sonar was also displayed on Rajpath by DRDO.

The weaponry put on display by the Indian Army included the Main Battle Tank ‘Arjun’, APC Ambulance tracked, theonly Super Sonic Cruise Missile Brahmos Weapon System,Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicle,  Sarvatra Bridge,  Mobile Integrated Network Terminal (MINT) and Radio Trunking System Mk-II (RTS Mk-II).  The Army’s Mechanized Columns concluded with a flypast by the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv of the Army Aviation Corps.

 An impressive ceremonial Republic Day    show of prowess and heritage

Two key military acquisitions, a model of the Russian-origin aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and the US-made strategic heavy-lift troop carrier C-17 Globemaster III, were showcased before the country for the first time. Both are expected to be pressed into service later this year. West Bengal featured prominently in the resplendent show. 

While it was the first Republic Day parade for President Pranab Mukherjee, who has his roots in the eastern state, the parade was commanded by Lt Gen Subroto Mitra, General Officer, Commanding, Delhi area. 

The West Bengal tableau, displaying the life and works of Swami Vivekananda, was the first to enter Rajpath.