New Delhi: Rafale fighter aircraft, inducted into the Indian Air Force in September last year, will make a debut in the Republic Day flypast this year.
The flypast will culminate with a single Rafale aircraft carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’ formation,” said Wing Commander Indranil Nandi.
During Tuesday’s flypast, the Rafale will fly in a “Vertical Charlie” formation. The aircraft flies at a low altitude, pulls up vertically and conducts a roll before stabilising at a higher altitude in the “Vertical Charlie” formation.
Besides Rafale, 41 other aircraft will be a part of different formations. These include 21 helicopters, 15 fighter jets, five transport aircraft and a vintage Dakota aircraft. The fighter jets include the Rafale, Sukhoi-30s and MiG-29s.
Rafale will fly with two Jaguars and two MiG-29s in one of the formations, before performing another manoeuvre to wrap up the flypast.
Rafale is a French-made twin-engine fighter aircraft. It is manufactured by French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation and was introduced in May 2001. Besides the IAF, the jet is used by air forces of Egypt, Qatar, Greece, among others.
India has received eight of the 36 Rafale fighters thus far. Besides the five that were inducted last September, three aircraft were flown to India in November 2020. Three more are scheduled to arrive by the end of this month, taking the total to 11.
This year’s Republic Day will be very different from previous years as it is for the first time that it will be held amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth will become the first woman fighter pilot to participate in the parade. The 28-year-old will be a part of the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s tableau.
Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar, who has been leading the IAF band contingent for the past 13 years, is set to make history. This is the 26th consecutive year when he will be making an appearance. His brother, IAF Sergeant Anil Kumar, will be part of the martial band. Their third sibling, Naik Subhash Kumar won’t be part of the parade this year.
The spectators will watch and notice various new things. Jawans will be seen wearing masks. Social-distancing will be in place for those coming to watch the celebrations.