Republic Day 2026: Arjun tanks, BrahMos missiles and new Army formations to roll down Kartavya Path
India’s 77th Republic Day parade on 26 January in New Delhi is set to spotlight indigenous and frontline military platforms, with the Army planning a phased “battle array” presentation featuring tanks, missiles, artillery, drones and helicopter flypasts. The display underlines the push for self-reliance in defence and a broadened line-up of formations on Kartavya Path.
- Reporting desk
- Health India Network News Desk
- First published
New Delhi’s Republic Day parade on Monday, 26 January 2026, will place a heavy emphasis on frontline and domestically built military capability, with the Indian Army planning a phased “battle array” movement along Kartavya Path. Officials said the showcase will combine marching contingents with mechanised columns, missile systems, artillery and aerial elements to demonstrate how formations are organised for modern operations, while also reinforcing the message of defence self-reliance.
Among the headline platforms expected to draw attention are the BrahMos cruise missile and the Akash air-defence system, alongside armour such as the Main Battle Tank Arjun and T‑90 Bhisma tanks. The line-up is also expected to feature a mix of tracked and wheeled systems, including BMP‑II infantry combat vehicles and the Nag missile system (Tracked) Mk‑2, reflecting the Army’s effort to present a representative cross-section of combat and support capabilities used in different theatres.
Artillery and rocket elements are also slated to form a key part of the tableau of firepower. Officials have indicated that systems such as the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), the Dhanush artillery gun and other batteries will be part of the presentation. The idea, according to the plan outlined for the event, is to show a coherent set of platforms rather than isolated equipment, mirroring how units are deployed and supported in real-world scenarios.
A notable addition mentioned in briefings is the Universal Rocket Launcher System (URLS) ‘Suryastra’, described as capable of surface-to-surface strikes up to 300 km and expected to be displayed for the first time at the parade. The static and moving displays are also expected to include select drones, highlighting how unmanned systems are increasingly integrated for surveillance, targeting and battlefield awareness, and how they complement conventional platforms.
The aerial segment is planned to add a second dimension to the presentation, with indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters and the armed Rudra variant flying in formation. The flypast is expected to be followed by combat-themed elements that include Apache AH‑64E attack helicopters and the Prachand light combat helicopter, aligning the air component with the mechanised columns below. For spectators, it is designed to be both ceremonial and demonstrative—parade precision paired with operational messaging.