R’Day Parade: Army to showcase evolution of uniforms and rifles

New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) The Republic Day marching contingents of the Indian Army on Rajpath this year will showcase different uniforms evolved over the years, starting from 1950 to 2022, Maj Gen Alok Kakkar said on Sunday. There will be 16 marching contingents in Republic Day Parade on Rajpath this year, with each contingent comprising 96 soldiers, instead of 144. This is done to ensure strict compliance to Covid-related protocols, Kakkar said at a virtual briefing to defence journalists on Sunday. “There will be four marching contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces, one each of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, two contingents of NCC, one each of Delhi Police and NSS,” he added. “Out of the six marching contingent of the Indian Army, the first marching contingent will be of Rajput Regiment with 1950s Army uniform and .303 rifles. The second contingent will be of Assam Rifles wearing 1960s uniform and carrying the same .303 rifles. The third contingent will be of Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry wearing 1970s Army uniform,” Maj Gen Alok Kakkar said. He said the fourth Army contingent will be of Sikh Light Infantry, the fifth one will be of Army Ordnance Corps, and the sixth Indian Army contingent will be of the elite Parachute Regiment, who will wear the new combat uniform unveiled on Army Day recently and will carry Tavor rifle. The weapons and equipment shown during the Republic Day parade will be a mix of vintage as well as state-of-the-art indigenous weapons.