Pune is all set to host the Army Day Parade, an important event in India’s military calendar. The grand exhibition, scheduled for January 15, is poised to showcase the emerging capabilities of the Army while highlighting inclusiveness, technological innovation, and deep engagement with the country’s citizens. The event will also honor Pune’s rich military history. All these themes will be illustrated by marching essays, past marches of equipment and weapon systems, and a series of tableaux. Here’s what’s on the plate for the historic Army Day Parade.
Army Day Parade in Pune
Every year, January 15 is commemorated as Army Day to mark the occasion when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British commander, in 1949. the first Indian commander-in-chief of independent India.
The historic city of Pune hosting the Army Day Parade has a significance that goes beyond its symbolic value. It can be seen as a celebration of the city’s rich military history dating back to the Maratha dynasty. The event also beautifully highlights Pune’s military prominence, as it is home to many operational, strategic, and training centers. However, more important is the conscious effort to strengthen Pune’s future as India’s major defense research and industrial hub. All events of the Army Day Parade and those that are built on the ground emphasize these three elements.
This will be the third occasion where a city outside New Delhi will host the Army Day Parade, in line with the Union government’s decision to hold important events in the country outside the national capital, to give it wider visibility and encourage citizen participation. .
Marching conferences: Women Agniveers, NCC girls
This year’s exhibition, which will be held at the Bombay Engineer Group Centre, Khadki, promises to be a first-class spectacle. Leading the way is the Women Agniveer Contingent from the Corps of Military Police—a powerful testament to the growing role of women in the Armed Forces. Those who join the Army Service Corps Horse Contingent, a brilliant display of culture and service under the motto “service before self”. Other contestants include those from the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Center of Belgaum, Artillery Center of Nashik, Army Ordnance Regimental Center of Secunderabad, Mechanized Infantry Regimental Center of Ahilya Nagar, Madras Regimental Center of Wellington, and Bombay Engineer Group Centre, Khadki.
Accompanying these units is the NCC Girls Contingent from Maharashtra, representing the next generation of disciplined and dedicated leaders. One of the highlights of this year’s show is the Mounted Contingent which showcases state-of-the-art weapons, equipment and combat vehicles. The display includes advanced systems such as the K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, the BMP-2 Sarath infantry combat vehicle, and the formidable T-90 tanks.
Special table: Army’s Mission Olympics, technical installation, weather endurance
In addition to these exercises, weapons, and equipment, the exhibition will have a table showing the Army’s commitment to overall development and nation building. One table will highlight the Army’s Mission Olympics. One will honor the role of veterans in nation building, while the other will highlight zero carbon emissions, demonstrating the Army’s commitment to climate change.
The parade will feature a technology infusion table, highlighting the Army’s integration of advanced technology to transform modern warfare. Illustrations include AI-powered decision-making systems, drone arrays, cyber security measures, unmanned ground vehicles, delivery drones, blockchain-enabled equipment, and the adoption of 5G networks for seamless communications on the battlefield.
Obvious features
Pune’s Army Day Parade will also provide a rare opportunity for people to witness the latest developments in military technology. Among the highlights are innovations such as the robotic mule, a quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle designed for border patrol and security, and the Swathi artillery area radar, capable of tracking lethal weapons and ensuring accurate firefighting. The exhibition will also include the Sarvatra bridging system, an indigenously built rapid attack bridge system, and a multi-barrel rocket system.
One cannot underestimate the Ator N1200 all-terrain vehicle, a waterproof wonder designed to work seamlessly through swamps, snow, and even water bodies. A mud system for newborns, drone jammer systems, and cell phone hotspots will also be featured at the show.
How can you go?
Entry to the main exhibition on January 15 and other events is by invitation. Some seats are reserved for students from selected schools who have been invited to the exhibition. The Army has launched an app for ADP (Army Day Parade) 25 where limited seats are available for booking. People can also check the details of other events in the app. The grand event will be broadcast live on YouTube and on the Army and Southern Command’s social media platforms. The ADP 25 app also has a facility to view the show live.
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