The Republic Day parade on the Rajpath will see the “grandest and largest” flypast ever with a total of 75 aircraft as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commemorating 75 years of India’s independence.
The flypast will conclude with seven jaguar fighter aircraft flying in the “Amrit” formation.
“The flypast this year will be the grandest and largest with 75 aircraft from IAF, Army and Navy flying during the Republic Day parade. This is in line with the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations,” IAF PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said at a press briefing.
“The flypast will include Tangail formation which will have one Dakota and two Dornier flying in Vic formation. This is tribute to the Tangail air drop operations of the 1971 War. There will also be Meghna formation of 1 Chinook and four Mi-17s,” he said.
The flypast will begin with Dhwaj formation with four Mi-17 aircraft, followed by Rudra and Rahat formations with 4 and 5 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), respectively.
These 75 aircraft will also include five Rafale. “Five Rafale to fly over the Rajpath in the Vinaash formation,” he added.
17 Jaguar fighter aircraft will fly in the shape of ’75’ to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Navy’s MiG29K and P-81 surveillance aircraft will also fly in the Varuna formation.