India’s Skies Roar with Power as IAF’s ‘Sindoor Formation’ Dominates Republic Day Flypast
New Delhi witnessed a breathtaking display of aerial strength and military coordination on Monday as the Indian Air Force showcased its might during the 77th Republic Day parade with a special ‘Sindoor Formation’ flypast over Kartavya Path.
In a powerful visual symbol of India’s combat readiness, seven fighter aircraft flew in a striking formation that included two Rafale jets, two Su-30 MKIs, two MiG-29s, and one Jaguar aircraft.
Officials described the formation as a tribute to the success of Operation Sindoor — the landmark military operation launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack earlier that year, during which Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure across the border.
This year’s Republic Day marked the first since the operation, making the display even more significant as India highlighted its modern warfare capabilities and joint force coordination.
For the first time in parade history, military assets rolled down Kartavya Path in a phased sequence resembling an actual combat deployment.
The presentation began with reconnaissance elements, followed by logistics units and armed personnel moving alongside advanced platforms in full battle gear — offering spectators a rare glimpse into real-time battlefield strategy.
The grand parade featured 30 tableaux in total — 17 representing States and Union Territories, and 13 from various Ministries, Departments, and Services — each narrating stories of culture, progress, and national strength.
Several formations commemorating Operation Sindoor formed the highlight of the flypast. These included the dynamic Prahar Formation, the Garud Formation, and the awe-inspiring Sindoor Formation, Wing Commander Rajesh Deshwal told the media ahead of the celebrations.
Flying in perfect sync with marching contingents on the ground, the fighter jets thundered overhead in a Spearhead configuration, symbolising precision strike power and aerial dominance.
Altogether, 29 aircraft took part in the flypast this year — comprising 16 fighter jets, four transport aircraft, and nine helicopters operating from six different air bases.
The aerial spectacle began with the Dhwaj Formation, where four Mi-17 IV helicopters proudly carried the National Flag along with the flags of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Following this were the Prahar and Garud Formations, which featured three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) — two from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Air Force.
The lead helicopter carried the Operation Sindoor flag, flying in a tactical battle array to demonstrate battlefield shaping during the operation.
The Sindoor Formation itself stood out as a symbol of India’s modern air combat strength, combining cutting-edge fighter aircraft into one formidable airborne force.
Strategic assets further enhanced the flypast, including transport aircraft like the C-130 and C-295, along with the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft.
Attack helicopters such as the Rudra ALH MK-IV, Apache helicopters, and the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) also soared across the skies, highlighting seamless jointmanship between the armed forces.
On the ground, a tri-services tableau drew massive attention, displaying replicas of major weapon systems used during Operation Sindoor.
A glass-enclosed integrated operational centre illustrated real-time command and control operations, featuring systems such as the BrahMos missile and the S-400 air defence platform.
In another first, the Indian Army showcased a phased ‘Battle Array Format’ that included aerial elements, featuring high-mobility reconnaissance vehicles and India’s first indigenously developed armoured light specialist vehicle.
The indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and its armed version, Rudra, were prominently displayed in the Prahar Formation, demonstrating their critical role in battlefield operations.
A deeply moving veterans’ tableau paid tribute to India’s military history. Its front featured the Amar Jawan Jyoti, followed by 3D models of legendary war machines — including T-55 and Vijayant tanks, aircraft such as the Hunter, MiG-21, Mirage and Jaguar, naval vessels INS Mysore and INS Rajput, along with depictions of the 1965 and 1971 wars and the Kargil conflict.
Among the advanced weapon systems showcased were the Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher System, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, and Akash missile systems.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also presented groundbreaking innovations during the parade and Bharat Parv 2026.
Highlights included the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) — a cutting-edge hypersonic glide missile capable of striking both static and moving targets with high precision using indigenous avionics and advanced sensor systems.
Another DRDO tableau titled “Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines” showcased indigenous systems that act as force multipliers for India’s submarine fleet, including the Integrated Combat Suite (ICS), Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT), and Air Independent Propulsion technology, ensuring dominance in underwater warfare.
Together, the aerial spectacle, battlefield displays, and technological showcases painted a powerful picture of India’s growing defence capabilities — a proud demonstration of strength, innovation, and unity on the nation’s most symbolic day.