From Parade to Power Projection: How Operation Sindoor Defined Republic Day

After

India’s major counterterror action under Operation Sindoor in 2025, this year’s Republic Day parade placed the spotlight firmly on military strength, deterrence and readiness. Along Kartavya Path weapons platforms and advanced defence systems rolled past in a deliberate statement of combat preparedness. The spectacle extended to the skies above the Raisina Hills, where Indian Air Force formations flew past in the presence of chief guests from Europe, foreign delegations and thousands of spectators. The aerial display, featuring the Operation Sindoor flag unfurled midair. It reinforced the message of deterrence and preparedness that defined the parade, linking battlefield success to national resolve.

For the first time, the Army unveiled its ‘Battle Array’ formation on Kartavya Path, signalling a clear shift away from traditional pageantry. The formation showed a combat-ready battlefield setup, pointing to the Army’s transition toward modern, multi-domain warfare built around speed, integration and precision.

Operation Sindoor Takes Centre Stage

A glass-cased Integrated Operational Centre depicting Operation Sindoor rolled down Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade on Monday. The display offered a rare glimpse into how the operation was executed and displayed the close coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force.

In a pointed message to Pakistan, the tri-services tableaux showcased the reach of the BrahMos missile alongside the layered protection of the S-400 air defence system. Together, they represented the backbone of India’s air defence doctrine, described as the “Sudarshan Chakra”, which proved effective during heightened military tensions with the nuclear-armed neighbour in May.

Operation Sindoor led to the neutralisation of over 100 terrorists and enemy soldiers, with several key enemy assets destroyed. The operation brought the adversary to a standstill within 88 hours. The military response followed the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, after which Indian forces struck terrorist bases in Pakistan, targeting infrastructure and eliminating multiple militants.The IOC display showed that the operation was guided by national and military leadership, with seamless inter-service cooperation and civilian support emerging as critical factors behind its success.

Drones, Swarms and the Future Battlefield

The broader theme of the parade, “Virasat, Vividhta aur Vikas”, was woven into the display of combat support elements. While BrahMos delivered decisive strikes, air defence systems such as Akash and S-400 were shown protecting civilian population centres under the “Sudarshan Chakra” framework.Mounted on High Mobility Vehicles, the Divyastra and Shaktibaan systems drew attention for showcasing India’s growing unmanned warfare capabilities. These platforms reflect a decisive push towards indigenisation, modernisation and technology-driven operations.

Equipped with swarm drones, tethered drone systems and the indigenously developed hybrid UAV ZOLT, Shaktibaan and Divyastra enable real-time surveillance, targeting and artillery direction. Their effectiveness is further enhanced by loitering munitions such as Harop, Mini Harpy, Peacekeeper, ATS in both extended and medium ranges, and Sky Striker.

According to the defence ministry, these systems allow the armed forces to deploy swarm drones, long-range strike drones and loitering munitions for effective battlefield operations.