The Indian Army will showcase the ‘Made-in-India’ weapon systems and platforms in the upcoming Republic Day parade in the national capital, and LCH Prachand chopper, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers and Nag anti-tank missiles will be the main attraction of this year’s celebration. The LCH Prachand is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL. It has the capability to conduct potent ground attack and aerial combat. The helicopter possesses modern stealth characteristics, robust armour protection and formidable night attack capability.
The advanced navigation system present onboard, guns tailored for close combat and potent air to air missiles make the LCH particularly suited for the modern battlefield.
NAG has been developed by DRDO to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in day and night conditions. The missile has "Fire & Forget" "Top Attack" capabilities with passive homing guidance to defeat all MBTs equipped with composite and reactive armour. The NAG missile carrier NAMICA is a BMP II based system with amphibious capability.
What weapon systems to march on R-Day?
According to the Army officials, the latest armoured vehicles and specialist vehicles produced by the Indian industry indigenously will also be showcased at the parade in which French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest.
The Quick Fighting Reaction Vehicle, Light Specialist Vehicle and the All Terrain Vehicle would also march on the Kartavya Path this year.
The weapon systems would also include the T-90 tank, BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle, c, Drone jammers, Advanced Sarvatra bridge, Medium Range Surface to Air Missile launcher and multi-function radar, the officials said.
Swathi Weapon Locating Radar, is an indigenously designed WLR which is capable of locating guns, mortars and rockets firing own troops, thereby facilitating their destruction through Counter Bombardment by own firepower resources. This will enable troops to carry out their operational tasks without any interference from the enemy and also provide them safety against enemy fire.
What more in R-Day parade?
Besides the Light Combat Helicopter, the Indian Army would also showcase the weaponised version of the ALH Dhruv choppers, also known as the Rudra.
The weapon systems to be showcased at the parade also include the Pinaka and the Swathi radar which have been successfully exported to foreign customers by Indian entities. Both have been developed by the DRDO.
The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets at distances up to 45 kms. The rocket system has been developed jointly by Pune based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
The Army is also going to showcase the growing role of women in defence forces as 60 of its women soldiers are going to be part of the tri-services all-women marching contingent which would include women from the Air Force and Navy too.
(With ANI inputs)
