Commemorating the 75 years of Indian independence, the Indian Air Force has said that the upcoming Republic Day parade on January 26 will witness the largest and most majestic fly-past in its entire history. The fly-past will see a total of 75 aircrafts from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy to mark “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” (roughly translating into 'elixir of energy of independence').
The fly-past will involve participation from one Dakota in the vintage Tangail formation and two Dornier flying in a Vic formation, said IAF PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi at a press briefing. This will be a tribute to the Tangail airdrop operation-single largest airdrop involving Indian Paratroopers which led to the surrender of 93000 strong Pakistan Army- undertaken during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
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The fly-past will be initiated by a Dhwaj formation involving 4 Mi-17 aircrafts which will then be followed by “Rudra” formation with 4 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and “Rahat” formation with 5 ALHs. We will also witness 1 CH-47F Chinook and 4 Mi-17Vs in a Meghna formation, the Wing Commander further said. The Meghna Formation is a tribute to the crucial heli-borne operation during the 1971 War when the IAF helicopters played a crucial role by moving Army soldiers across the mighty Meghna River in the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Other aircrafts which will showcase their potency are Indian Navy’s MiG29K, P-18 surveillance aircraft and Jaguar fighter aircrafts along with the recently acquired IAF’S Rafales. The fly-past will conclude 7 Jaguar fighter jets in “Amrit” formation. To further mark the recently concluded 50th anniversary of Bangladesh liberation, the IAF tableau will showcase IAF fighter jets attacking Governor House in Dhaka, as per a report by The Indian Express.
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