IAF to showcase network centric operations on Republic Day

New Delhi, Jan 21 (ANI): The Indian Air Force (IAF) Tableau for this year's Republic Day Parade will showcase the endeavor to uphold age-old military values, while transforming into a modern, competent and capable force.

Network Centric Operations involve the networking of sensors and critical capabilities to provide the IAF leadership with complete situational awareness. This will significantly enhance command and control and lead to superior decision-making.

Scale models of a Sukhoi-30 MKI tearing through the sky in the form of an aerostat, a satellite and an AWACS will be the star attraction.

The images of the situation board of AFNET (Air Force Network) and the Surface to Air Missiles firing depict the integration of sensors and capabilities of the IAF tableaux.

While IAF continues to acquire new capabilities and assimilate advanced technologies, it believes that the air warrior is the greatest force multiplier.

A flypast comprising 25 IAF aircraft including 13 fighter jets, ten helicopters and five transport aircraft, and three helicopters of the Indian Army's aviation arm will add to the aerial aspect of the RDP.

The flypast will be in two phases - at the start of the parade by helicopters trooping the national tricolor and ensigns of the three services.

The second phase will be at the end of the parade with waves of formation comprising Mi-25 attack helicopters, a transport aircraft 'Big Boy' formation of mixed fleet (IL-78, AN-32, Dornier) followed by fighter jets-Jaguars, Mig-29s and Su-30 MKIS. A vertical Charlie maneuver by a single Su-30 MKI spiraling upwards will signal the close of the proceedings.

The aerial show will be matched by 144 air warriors and 72 musicians of AF Band who will form the IAF marching contingent on Rajpath.

Flight Lieutenant CP Deshpande will lead the AF contingent, while Flight Lieutenant Jasdeep Kaur, Flight Lieutenant Mukesh Rai and Fg Offr Anupama Chaudhary will be the other officers marching alongside.

50 other air warriors led by Sqn Ldr B Biswas as the IAF contingent commander will form part of the Inter Services Guard of Honour of 150 personnel to be led by Wg Cdr Ajay Dasari as the overall Guard Commander.

In view of the flypast at heights varying from 60 to 500 metres and the associated flight safety concerns posed by birds, the IAF has made an appeal to all citizens of Delhi and its neighbourhood to keep their areas clean and avoid throwing eatables, garbage, dead animals or carcasses in the open in all the days leading upto January 26. (ANI)