It’s Saturday, January 24, 2026, and if you’re planning to head to Kartavya Path this Monday, forget the usual polished march-past. This year, the Indian Army is showing up in “War Mode.”
The thing is, the 77th Republic Day parade is ditching the purely ceremonial vibes for something called a “Phased Battle Array.” It’s an ongoing situation where the tanks, missiles, and troops won’t just roll by—they’ll move in the exact sequence they’d use to invade or defend, starting with recon and ending with heavy logistics. Or nothing.
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Republic Day 2026: The “Firsts” Field Notes
It’s a mix of high-tech “deep strike” gear and some very old-school mountain warriors. Here’s the ground reality:
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The Suryastra Debut: This is the big one. It’s a “Universal Rocket Launcher” that can hit targets 300 km away. Think of it as the big brother to the Pinaka. The thing is, it’s being showcased for the first time as India’s answer to long-range precision warfare. Those too.
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The Bhairav Battalion: These guys are the new “middle child” of the Army. Raised just last October, the Bhairav Light Commandos are meant to bridge the gap between regular infantry and the Para Special Forces. This is their first time on the national stage.
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The “Animal” Soldiers: Let’s be real—the highlight for most will be the four-legged (and winged) contingent. We’re talking Bactrian camels (the two-humped kind) and Zanskar ponies from Ladakh. They even have Raptors (trained kites) for bird-strike control and surveillance. It’s an ongoing situation where the Army is proving that in the high-altitude Himalayas, nature still beats a motor.
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Shaktiban Regiment: This is a brand new Artillery unit that focuses entirely on the “Drone War”—they’ve got drones, counter-drone tech, and loitering munitions (suicide drones). Or nothing.
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The Chief Guests: We’ve got a double-header from the European Union—Ursula von der Leyen (EU Commission) and Antonio Costa (EU Council). The thing is, Costa has Goan roots, so it’s a bit of a homecoming.
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Battle Array & Assets: R-Day 2026 Snapshot
| Asset / Unit | Role / Capability | The “Ground” Reality |
| Suryastra URLS | 300 km Deep Strike | Multi-caliber; can fire loitering munitions too. |
| Bhairav Battalion | Light Commando | Specialized in “fast-in, fast-out” operations. |
| Bactrian Camels | Cold Desert Logistics | Can carry 250 kg at 15,000+ feet. |
| 61 Cavalry | Mounted Combat | Trading ceremonial robes for full battle gear. |
| Shaktiban | Drone/Loiter Munition | India’s first dedicated “Drone Artillery” regiment. |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The theme this year is “150 Years of Vande Mataram.” But the thing is, even the enclosures for the public have been rebranded. No more “VVIP” or “General” labels—all the seating areas are now named after Indian Rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada). Let’s be real—it’s a small touch, but it feels a lot less “colonial.” Those too.
One side comment—the LCA Tejas is reportedly sitting out the flypast this year. No official reason given, but the aerial show will still feature 29 aircraft, including the Rafale and the Apache. It’s an ongoing situation where the focus is shifted entirely to the “Battle Array” on the ground. Or nothing.
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End…
