Indiainfo-icon showcased its military prowess and achievements in its 68th Republic Dayinfo-icon parade on Thursday, currently taking place in the capital New Delhiinfo-icon.

This year's chief guest is the crown prince of Abu Dhabiinfo-icon and the deputy supreme commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emiratesinfo-icon (UAEinfo-icon), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The highlight of this year's parade was a 149-member UAE Presidential Guard marching on Rajpath and presenting a ceremonial salute to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

An Indian soldier salutes as he rides an Akash weapon system of air defence during India's Republic Day parade. ─ AFP
An Indian soldier salutes as he rides an Akash weapon system of air defence during India's Republic Day parade. ─ AFP

The UAE military contingent was led by Lt. Col. Abood Musabeh Abood Musabeh Alghfeli.

The helicopters will pave the way for parade commander Lt. Gen. M.M. Narwane, GoC, Delhi Area.

The main highlight of this year's parade will be a fly-past from Tejas, India`s single-seat, single-jet engine and multi-role light fighter which is designed for the Indian Armyinfo-icon and Navy.

Another is the marching contingent of National Security Guards (NSG), popularly known as black cat commandos.

The Indian Army's missileinfo-icon firing capability, T-90 'Bhishma' tank, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2K, Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System, Weapon Locating Raddar 'Swathi', Akash Weapon System, CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle and Dhanush Gun System will be the main draw in the mechanised columns.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tableau will roll down the Rajpath with the theme "Air Dominance Through Network Centric Operations".

The Tableau will display the scaled down models of Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, AWACS, UAV, Apache and Communication Satellite.This year the Indian Navy's Tableau will have the theme 'Indian Navy - Professional Force-Anchoring Stability, Security and National Prosperity'.

An Indian soldier salutes as he rides a Smerch rocket launcher during India's Republic Day parade
An Indian soldier salutes as he rides a Smerch rocket launcher during India's Republic Day parade

The tableau showcases the lethal marine commandoes proceeding for action, the indigenously built Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class next-generation attack submarines.The tableaux will also display a model of the P-8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

After 23 years on 68th Republic Day Parade, Lakshadweep will also be participating in the parade with other states like Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh who will be presenting their tableau's.

The Defence Researchinfo-icon and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase its Advanced Towed Artillery System and Medium Power Radar Arudha at the parade.