Republic Day 2023 Parade highlights: India showcases military might

The grand parade of Republic Day 2023 at Kartavya Path was special for India as the participants gave a push to the theme of Atmanirbhar Bharat by showcasing indigenously developed weapon systemsThis year only MadeinIndia weapon systems were showcased at the Republic Day parade which included ammunition showcasing Indias indigenization power such as 21 Gun Salute through Made in India 105 mm Indian Field Guns recently inducted LCH Prachand the K9 Vajra howitzers MBT Arjun Nag antitank guided missiles Akash air defence missiles and the Quick Reaction Fighting VehiclesNotably the Defence Services witnessed pathbreaking reforms with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the helm of affairs to transform the military into a modern Atmanirbhar youthful and techsavvy forceThe seamless modernization plan focused on developing Force Capabilities the creation of Self Reliant Defence ecosystem with MakeinIndia pursuit and a learner and agile Army driven by technologyThe doctrinal and operational studies continued on the establishment of theatre commands to enhance Op preparedness synergy and combat potential of the Armed forcesMany decisions on restructuring were also satisfactorily implemented The defence forces were further strengthened with the appointment of General Anil Chauhan as the Second Chief of Defence StaffFor the first time the 21 Gun Salute was given to President Droupadi Murmu during the parade with 105 mm Indian Field Guns on Kartavya Path replacing the Britishmade 25pounder gunsAlso Read Republic Day Much awaited lsquoFly Pastrsquo witnesses spectacular air show by 45 Indian Air Force aircraftMBT ArjunThe Main Battle Tank ARJUN of the 75 Armoured Regiment was led by Captain Amanjeet Singh The motto of MBT Arjun isSahasam VijayateThe State of the art MBT ARJUN is third generation main battle tank developed indigenously by Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDOArjun features a 120 mm main rifled gun a 762 mm coaxial machine gun and a 127 mm antiaircraft machine gunIt is powered by a 1400 HP Diesel engine and can achieve a maximum speed of 70 kmh 43 mph and a crosscountry speed of 40 kmh 25 mphThe fourmen crew MBT is augmented with an array of systems including a Fire Control System Integrated Fire Detection amp Suppression System and NBC protection systems The newly developed Kanchan armour provides allround antitank warhead protection much higher than available in comparable thirdgeneration tanksNag Missile System NAMISThe NAG Missile System of 17 Mechanised Infantry Regiment was led by Lieutenant Siddhartha TyagiThe System popularly called NAMIS is a tank destroyer indigenously designed by the Defence Research amp Development Laboratory Hyderabad a lab of DRDOThe motto of NAMIS is Satrah Mech Har Maidan FatehIt consists of a tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicle which has a crewless turret capable of firing six Nag AntiTank Guided MissilesNAMIS has been developed for the recce and support units of the Mechanised infantry to reinforce and enhance antitank capability along our borders during offensive and defensive operations The Nag missile is a Fire and Forget ATGM with an effective range of 5kmThe tandem warhead with the capability to lockon before launch and topattack accurately hits the targets that are moving or trying to escapeAlso Read PM Modi Rahul Gandhi others greet people on Republic DayThe NAMICA has a crew of four and apart from other niche technologies it has an integrated satellite cum inertial navigation system NBC protection radio sets for encrypted communication onboard Auxiliary Power Unit for silent operations and Nag Missile Checkout Equipment for health check of ATGMs before firingNAMIS is a gamechanger and the successful development of this modern weapon system for the Indian Army has propelled India into the select club of countries which have developed their own fireampforget topattack tactical ATGMs integrated on AFVsQuick Reaction Fighting Vehicle QRFVThe Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle was led by Captain Naveen Dhatterwal of the 3 Ladakh Scouts Regiment with a motto of War Cry Ki Ki So So Lahargyalo which means Victory to GodThese vehicles under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme are being manufactured by TATA Advance System and Bharat Forge Limited for the Indian Army and are a shining example of the Indian Armys quest for selfrelianceThis 4x4 wheeled Armoured Platform has full Armour Protection with a 360 Degree Turret which mounts a 762mm Medium Machine Gun can carry 10 Fully Armed Troops The vehicle is ideally designed for troops operating in Ladakh Sikkim and Arunachal PradeshThe vehicle is also Mine and Bullet Proof which makes it suited as an Escort vehicle and special response for CI OPS It has a maximum speed of 80 kmh with an OP range up to 600 kms and can negotiate a gradient up to 25 degrees10m Short Span BridgeThe 10m Short Span Bridge of 64 Assault Engineer Regiment led by Captain Shivashish Solanki is a mechanically launched Assault Bridge designed by DRDO to help Combat Engineers in Crossing formidable obstacles like Canal or Nallahs in a matter of minutesThe motto of 10 meter Short Span Bridge System was Agrani Ajay which means Always Leading and UnconquerableThese Bridges can be utilized by mechanised and armoured columns to speedily cross the obstacles and destroy the enemy These indigenous bridges signify that no obstacles remain impediment to the MechanisedForces of Indian Army and are a step forward to Atmanirbharta in defence The Regiment will celebrate 50 years of glorious history on 30 Sept 2023Mobile Microwave Node and Mobile Network CentreMobile Microwave Node and Mobile Network Centre of Corps of Signals was led by Major Mohd Asif Ahmed of 2 AHQ Signal Regiment with a motto of Teevra Chaukas which means Swift and SecureThe column consists of two vehicles a Mobile Microwave Node along with Mobile Network Centre Major Mahima Kataria of 2 AHQ Signal Regiment is in charge of the Mobile Network CentreThe Mobile Microwave Node of the Indian Army is capable of extending highspeed operational communications to Tactical Battle AreaThe Node is mounted on a High Mobility Vehicle platform and housed in an NBC proof ruggedised shelter to provide matching mobility and sustenance to mobile mechanised operations The vehicle can operate on optical microwave and satellite media to provide triple play services to include voice data and video to field formations in active hostilitiesThe Mobile Network Centre is a nextgeneration network vehicle and enabler of networkcentric operationsIt hosts three core functionalities of Network Operations Security Operations and the Data Centre It acts as a force multiplier by enhancing battlefield transparency and increasing situational awarenessThe vehicle has a crew of six led by an officer and is equipped with IMS core aggregation routers access switches large screen displays and highspeed processing platforms The mobile node is developed indigenously and upholds the Aatmanirbhar Bharat MissionWheeled Armoured Platform WHAP 8x8 on 70ton trailerWheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier WhAP 8x8 carried on a specialist 70ton Trailer is indigenously designed and developed by DRDOWhAP is a modular 8x8wheeled combat platform WhAP is a stateoftheart customisable platform for roles such as Infantry Vehicle CBRN Vehicle ATGM carrier The Armoured Personnel Carrier variant on display is integrated with 30mm turret composite armour and innovative blast protection This amphibious vehicle can cross rivers and canals and its maximum onroad speed is 100 kmhThe 70ton trailer is equipped with stateoftheart hydraulic suspension for better mobility steerable axles and a hydraulic ramp for ease of loading and unloading of heavy payloads The trailer which is capable of negotiating sharp turns and gradients has undergone extensive trials with MBT Arjun as payloadThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or 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