S-400 Air Defence System to Debut at Republic Day Parade

Missile shield showcased in Tri-Services tableau highlighting Operation Sindoor

January 23, 2026: India’s advanced S-400 air defence missile system, credited with protecting the country during the military conflict with Pakistan in May last year, will be showcased for the first time at the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026. The system will feature in the Department of Military Affairs’ Tri-Services tableau titled Operation Sindoor, highlighting seamless coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force. Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal said the display will underline the system’s strategic importance in national defence.

The S-400 played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. In August last year, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed that the missile system successfully shot down five Pakistani fighter jets during the operation, which targeted terror infrastructure. The tableau will also showcase key military assets such as Bhairav, Shaktibaan, UGV and ATAGS, with over 6,050 military personnel participating in the parade. Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar will lead the parade for the fourth consecutive year.

A total of 30 tableaux will roll down Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day celebrations, including 17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from various ministries and departments. This year’s celebrations will revolve around the themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, marking 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram and showcasing India’s cultural diversity and growing self-reliance through state and central ministry presentations.