January 16th 2025.
In New Delhi, it has been announced that the locally developed Tejas aircraft will not be participating in the upcoming Republic Day flypast. This decision was confirmed by an official on Thursday. It is also worth noting that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has halted the inclusion of single-engine aircraft in the parade.
The Tejas aircraft, built by HAL, is a highly capable platform for air combat and support missions. Its secondary roles include reconnaissance and anti-ship operations. In February 2021, the defence ministry signed a contract worth Rs 48,000 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF. And just last year in November, the ministry gave its initial approval for the purchase of an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets for the IAF.
Similarly, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), which was designed and developed indigenously, will also not be participating in the Republic Day flypast. This is due to a tragic incident that occurred earlier this month, where one of the military choppers crashed. As a precaution, the armed forces have decided to ground the entire fleet of these twin-engine helicopters.
It is worth mentioning that the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard currently operate around 330 ALHs. However, after the recent crash in Gujarat's Porbandar on January 5, the entire fleet has been grounded. As a result, the ALH Dhruv will not be a part of the Republic Day flypast over Kartavya Path on January 26, according to an IAF official.
The official also mentioned that the helicopters are expected to remain grounded until a thorough investigation is conducted to determine the cause of the crash that claimed the lives of two Coast Guard pilots and an aircrew diver. It is worth noting that the ALH-Dhruv has been a part of the Republic Day flypasts for over 15 years. This multi-role, multi-mission helicopter, weighing in at 5.5 tons, is produced by the state-run aerospace major, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
The official further stated that the Republic Day flypast will include 22 fighter jets, 11 transport planes, seven helicopters, and three Dornier surveillance aircraft. Additionally, a Rafale fighter jet will also be featured in the flypast. The IAF's marching contingent during the parade will comprise of 144 personnel, showcasing their discipline and professionalism. This information was shared by the IAF official during a press conference.
Overall, it is a matter of great pride and honor to witness the grand Republic Day parade, showcasing the might and capabilities of our country's armed forces.
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