27 aircrafts to fly over Rajpath on Republic Day

New Delhi, Jan 21: At least 27 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be part of the flypast over Rajpath during this year's Republic Day parade.

Leading the parade would be the traditional 'Ensign' formation comprising four Mi-17 V5 helicopters in an inverted 'Y' formation.

The second and the main phase will be led by 'Chakra' formation of three Mi-35 helicopters in 'Vic' formation, followed by three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. This will be followed by the Globe formation comprising one C-17 aircraft and two Su-30 MKI aircraft.

The first fighter formation would comprise five Jaguar aircraft in the shape of an Arrowhead, followed by five MiG-29 upgrade aircraft in similar formation. The Sukhoi formation comprising three Su-30 MKI aircraft will fly in the last phase.

The end of the parade will be marked by a single Su-30 MKI aircraft, pulling up vertically in front of the dais and carrying out the signature 'Vertical Charlie' rolls.

Besides the aircraft, the Air Force's marching contingent comprising four officers, including two women officers and 144 airmen, will also participate in the event.

The theme for the IAF tableau is 'Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations by the Indian Air Force: In Service of the Nation and Beyond'.

The design would showcase the IAF's role in Uttarakhand, Kashmir, Yemen and Nepal rescue and relief operations by displaying models of C-17, C-130 and Mi-17 V5 aircraft.

PTI