New Delhi, Jan 18: This year India will celebrate 69th Republic Day and on this occasion, This is the first time when the Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase indigenously-developed weapon structure integrated helicopter Rudra at the Republic Parade which will be held at India Gate. This helicopter will be part of IAF’s flypast. Rudra will carry the flag of ASEAN to celebrate the summit meeting of India and the block of South East Asian countries to be held in the national capital New Delhi on January 19-30. The flypast will consist of 38 aircraft, together with 21 fighters, 12 helicopters and five transporters.

Apart from this the formations of Rudra will also C-130 J, AEW&C aircraft shepherded by two Sukhoi-30 MKI, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Jaguar, MiG 29 Upgrade aircraft.

The Indian Air Force will showcase its representation at the parade ground which will be themed “veterans are an asset to the nation’. The montage will be accompanied by the musical band of IAF and it will play 15 patriotic and martial tunes. The march-past will be full of 75 musicians and three band majors which will be guided by junior warrant officer Ashok Kumar Nagar.