Powerful Photos Of The ‘Grandest And Largest’ Flypast Rehearsal By IAF In Full Swing

This year on Republic Day 2022, airpower is getting a boost with the participation of 75 aircraft and helicopters from the three Services. In the picture, two Indian Air Force fighters and other aircraft fly past in a cloudy sky during a rehearsal ahead of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

In addition to all the IAF’s frontline aircraft, Army and Naval planes too shall participate in the fly-past, like they always do, because Air Power of any nation includes all its flying assets, including those of the civil airliners.?

The Republic Day parade on the Rajpath this year will see the "grandest and largest" flypast ever with a total of 75 aircraft to mark the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations, an IAF official said on Monday. In the picture, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft fly past in a 'V' formation.?

The flypast will conclude with seven jaguar fighter aircraft flying in the "Amrit" formation to commemorate the 75 years of Independence.?

"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, PTI reports.?

"The flypast will include Tangail formation which will have one Dakota and two Dornier flying in Vic formation. This is tribute to the Tangail airdrop operations of the 1971 War. There will also be a Meghna formation of 1 Chinook and four Mi-17s," he said.?

The flypast with four Mi-17 aircraft, followed by "Rudra" and "Rahat" formations with 4 and 5 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) will begin with "Dhwaj" formation.?

Among the other aircraft that will display their might at the parade are Rafale, Indian Navy's MiG29K, P-8I surveillance aircraft and Jaguar fighter jets, PTI reports.?

The government has introduced two important changes, Republic Day celebration began on January 23 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and will continue till January 30 and the main function will begin 30 minutes later on January 26. It will begin at 10.30 a.m. in place of 10 a.m. to let visibility improve by the time flypast takes place. In the picture, advanced light helicopters (ALH) from the Indian Air Force flypast during the full dress rehearsal for the upcoming Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

For the second year in a row, there won't be a foreign dignitary as chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26. "This year there will not be a Foreign Head of State or Head of Government as the chief guest for our Republic Day event," a source said. In place of the 25,000 guests at the Republic Day parade in 2021, only around 5,000 to 8,000 people will be allowed to witness the event in person.