In a first, 48 Agniveer Vayu women to participate in Republic Day Parade

New Delhi: A total of 48 Agniveer Vayu Women will be part of the Indian Air Force’s Republic Day parade. The IAF marching contingent will be led by Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur with Squadron Leader Sumita Yadav, Squadron Leader Pratiti Ahluwalia and Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil as supernumerary officers.

In addition, 15 women pilots of the IAF will also operate various aircraft of the IAF during the flypast.

This year, the theme of the IAF’s Republic Day tableau will be “Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar”.

The aerial display during this year’s Republic Day celebrations will showcase India’s military might, with 29 fighter aircraft, eight transport aircraft,13 helicopters and one heritage aircraft taking to the skies above the Kartavya Path.

One of the main attractions of the flypast will be the recently inducted C-295 transport aircraft, which will participate for the first time in the Republic Day parade.

The Indian Air Force will also depict the famous ‘Tangail airdrop’ of the 1971 victory over Pakistan with one Dakota aircraft and two Dorniers flying in a ‘Tangail formation’ during the celebrations.

The Indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will also be making its debut at the Republic Day parade. Four jets will fly in a ‘Tejas formation’ at the parade.

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