R-Day: Six Army contingents will display uniforms from different eras.
Six Army contingents will march in this year's Republic Day parade, displaying the various outfits and weaponry carried by soldiers throughout the decades, according to Major General Alok Kakkar, Chief of Staff of the Delhi Area.
On January 15, the Indian Army debuted its newest combat uniform. The new uniform, which will be phased in for the force's 12 lakh soldiers, includes improvements to the camouflage pattern and design, as well as a new material. The force has previously altered their uniform in 2008.
Major General Kakkar said in New Delhi that each Army detachment at the parade will display the uniforms and equipment that the personnel have worn since the 1950s.
Similarly, the Sikh Light Infantry and Army Ordnance Corps regiments' fourth and fifth contingents will wear the existing uniform (issued in 2008) and use 5.56 mm INSAS rifles.
Six Army contingents, one Navy and Air Force contingent each, four CAPF contingents, two NCC contingents, one Delhi Police contingent, and one NSS contingent will march.
The number of members in each contingent has been lowered from 144 to 96 in order to maintain pandemic precautions.