Republic Day 2026 Parade in New Delhi Highlights India's Defence Prowess
The Republic Day 2026 parade held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi was a grand spectacle that brilliantly showcased India's military strength and rich cultural pride. The event featured an impressive display of marching troops, advanced defence equipment, and a variety of specialised vehicles, alongside a breathtaking flypast by the Indian Air Force. This year's celebrations put a significant focus on the technological advancements and operational readiness of India's armed forces.
Prime Minister's Armoured Vehicle: Range Rover Sentinel
One of the most prominent vehicles at the parade was the Range Rover Sentinel, used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This heavily armoured version of the standard Range Rover offers VR8-level ballistic protection, capable of withstanding 7.62 mm armour-piercing bullets. In terms of blast resistance, the vehicle is engineered to survive lateral explosions of up to 15 kg of TNT, as well as grenade blasts from both above and below the chassis.
Powered by a robust 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that generates 380 horsepower, the Sentinel boasts impressive performance despite its substantial kerb weight exceeding 4.4 tonnes. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in approximately 10.4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 193 kmph.
Security Convoy SUVs: Toyota Fortuner, Tata Harrier, and Mahindra Scorpio Classic
In addition to the Sentinel, the Prime Minister's convoy included several well-known SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner, Tata Harrier, and Mahindra Scorpio Classic. While these models are available to the public in civilian versions, the security force variants are typically modified with enhanced communication systems, additional protective features, and mission-specific upgrades.
The Toyota Fortuner, also seen in a jammer configuration, is equipped with a 2.8-litre diesel engine producing 204 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque in its public specification. The Tata Harrier utilises a 2.0-litre diesel engine that delivers 170 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, and it has recently been launched in a turbo-petrol version offering similar power. The Mahindra Scorpio Classic is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine generating 130 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque.
Specialised Military Vehicles: Force Gurkha and Maruti Suzuki Gypsy
The parade also featured the Force Gurkha Light Strike Vehicle, a rugged 4x4 military vehicle built on the Gurkha platform. It is powered by a 2.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing around 140 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque, and it comes with high ground clearance and locking differentials for challenging terrains.
Another iconic vehicle, the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, remains a familiar sight at Republic Day parades. Although the Army is gradually replacing the Gypsy with newer models, it continues to appear on special occasions like the 2026 parade. The Army-spec Gypsy is equipped with a 1.3-litre petrol engine that produces 80 horsepower and 103 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4WD system.
Indian Air Force Flypast: Operation Sindoor
The Indian Air Force's flypast, conducted under Operation Sindoor, was a highlight of the parade, featuring a formation of frontline fighter jets that represent the core of India's combat aviation capabilities.
Rafale Fighter Jets: These advanced aircraft are powered by twin Snecma M88 engines, each producing about 50 kN of thrust. The Rafale is capable of speeds exceeding Mach 1.8 and is designed for air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions.
Sukhoi Su-30 MKI: As the backbone of the IAF, the Su-30 MKI is a twin-engine fighter equipped with AL-31FP afterburning turbofan engines, offering exceptional manoeuvrability and a top speed of over Mach 2. It can carry a wide array of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.
MiG-29: This twin-engine air superiority fighter is powered by RD-33 turbofan engines, each generating around 81 kN of thrust with afterburner, enabling speeds of up to Mach 2.25.
SEPECAT Jaguar: Optimised for low-level penetration missions, the Jaguar is powered by Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour engines, each producing about 32.5 kN of thrust, with a top speed of approximately Mach 1.6.
The Republic Day 2026 parade not only celebrated India's cultural heritage but also demonstrated the nation's commitment to maintaining a strong and technologically advanced defence force, ready to protect its sovereignty and interests.
