Army to showcase evolution of uniform, rifles at Republic Day parade

New Delhi, January 23

The Indian Army, at this year’s Republic Day parade, will showcase how uniform and rifles have evolved since 1950s.

“Three marching contingents of the Indian Army will wear uniform and carry rifles from previous decades, one contingent will wear the new combat uniform and carry the latest — Tavor rifles,” said Major General Alok Kakkar.

The Indian Army’s first marching contingent will be of the Rajput Regiment. Soldiers will wear the 1950s uniform and carry .303 rifles. The Assam Regiment will follow wearing the 1960 uniform of the Indian Army and carry .303 rifles.

The 1970s uniform of the Army will be worn by soldiers of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, who will form the third marching contingent, and they will carry 7.62 mm self-loading rifles, he added.

The fourth and fifth marching contingents will be of Sikh Light Infantry and Army Ordnance Corps Regiment, respectively, he said, adding that these soldiers would wear the current uniform of the Army and carry 5.56 mm Insas rifles, Maj Gen Kakkar said.

The sixth contingent will be of Parachute Regiment soldiers who will wear the new combat uniform, which was unveiled earlier this month and carry the Tavor rifles.

There will be a total of six marching contingents of the Indian Army at the parade. Each marching contingent will comprise 96 soldiers instead of the usual 144 so that proper attention can be given to Covid-19 social distancing protocol.

Rajput Regiment: Soldiers of the regiment will wear uniform of the 1950s and march with .303 rifles

Assam Regiment: They will wear Army uniform worn in the 1960s and carry along .303 rifles

J&K Light Infantry Regiment: Will wear 1970s uniform and will carry 7.62 mm self-loading rifles

Sikh Light Infantry & Army Ordnance Corps Regiment: Will wear current uniform and carry 5.56 mm Insas rifles

Parachute Regiment: Will wear the new combat uniform, which was unveiled earlier this month and carry Tavor rifles

No. of troops reduced

• There will be a total of six marching contingents of the Army
• Each marching contingent will comprise 96 soldiers instead of 144 to follow Covid-19 protocol
• There will 14 marching contingents — six of Army, one each of Navy & Air Force, four of CAPF, two of NCC, one of Delhi Police & one of NSS