As India celebrates its 71st Republic Day today the fly-past by Indian Air Force took everyone’s breath away as IAF pilots performed some of the most amazing gravity-defying stunts. The grand finale and one of the most keenly awaited segments of the parade was the fly-past by the Indian Air force.
Piloted by Wing Commander Yathartha Johri along with Flight Lieutenant S Mishra, a lone Su-30MKI flew at a speed of 900 km/hr and split the sky with a gravity-defying ‘Vertical Charlie’.
The spectacular vertical charlie by a lone Su-30MKI at the Rajpath pic.twitter.com/BLVICi9kOT
— Somreet Bhattacharya (@SomreetbTOI) January 26, 2020
The stunt from another angle left everyone speechless.
What most thrilling was this !!
Big Dog #Sukhoi30 Vertical Charlie ✈️
Proud @IAF_MCC ????????????#RepublicDay2020 #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/ylJLXsgAzI— ????? ??????? (@ArnabGoswame) January 26, 2020
The entire national capital has been put under multi-layered security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a tight vigil over it, including the celebration venue Rajpath.
The grand parade at Rajpath, which is performed as a tribute to India’s unity in diversity and rich cultural heritage comes to an end today with the Indian Air force performing some enthralling stunts with its aircraft.
The India air force also stunned the crowd with the ‘Arrowhead’ formation. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, in ‘Arrowhead’ formation flew past at a speed of 780 kmph. The formation was led by Group Captain Parijat Saurabh.
Delhi: 5 Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, in ‘Arrowhead’ formation fly past at a speed of 780 kmph. The formation is led by Group Captain Parijat Saurabh. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/RGsQwRYHlK
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020
The Sukhoi 30MKIs of Indian Air Force executed the ‘Trishul’ manoeuvre. The formation was being led by Group Captain Nishit Ohri. The captains of the other two aircraft were Wing Commander Nilesh Dixit and Wing Commander Karan Dogra.
Delhi: Su-30 MKIs of Indian Air Force execute the
‘Trishul’ manoeuvre. The formation is being led by Group
Captain Nishit Ohri. The captains of the other two aircraft are Wing Commander Nilesh Dixit and Wing Commander Karan Dogra. pic.twitter.com/RMp1VmdHOE— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020
Wing Commander SK Chauhan leads the ‘Vic’ formation, comprising three Dornier aircraft. The captains of the other two aircraft are Squadron Leader Vikas Kumar and Squadron Leader Abhishek Vashisht.
Delhi: Wing Commander SK Chauhan leads the ‘Vic’ formation, comprising three Dornier aircraft. The captains of the other two aircraft are Squadron Leader Vikas Kumar and Squadron Leader Abhishek Vashisht. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/0DIo2rlBEr
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020
Republic Day parade at Rajpath, Delhi: Trishul’ formation, comprising of 3 ALH helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation. This is 1st time that a “Tri-service Formation” is taking
part in the Republic Day pic.twitter.com/rdgyMxlnZ2— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020
This is 1st time that a “Tri-service Formation” took part in the Republic Day celebrations. It comprised of three ALH (Advanced light helicopters) in a ‘Vic’ formation. This formation was devised during World War 1. Three or more aircraft fly in close formation with the leader at the apex and the rest flying to left and right. The entire arrangement looks like a ‘V’. The tri-service formation is significant as India got the post of Chief of Defence Staff, a tri-service chief looking after Navy, Army and Air Force.
Today, for the first time, the Rajpath saw the formation of the formidable Apache attack helicopters. The Indian Air Force in a tweet on the Republic Day even shared the video from the rehearsals.
#DidYouKnow– Formation of the formidable Apache attack helicopters will be seen for the 1st time over Rajpath this Republic Day. #Apache was inducted in the IAF in Sep 19. It provides Indian Armed Forces a significant edge against adversaries on the battlefield. #RepublicDay2020 pic.twitter.com/aabZ4btX5J
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 25, 2020
Apache was first inducted in the IAF in September 2019.
Additionally, three Chinook helicopters took part in the Republic Day parade for the first time after being inducted last year.
Breaking from the tradition, Prime Minister Modi had paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly built National War Memorial (NWM) at the India Gate, instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti, on Sunday morning prior to participating in the 71st Republic Day celebrations.
