India puts Operation Sindoor on display at Republic Day parade

The Operation Sindoor-themed tableau will be showcased by the Indian armed forces during the Republic Day parade on January 26 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi . Presented by the Department of Military Affairs , the tableau carries the theme “Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness” and highlights India’s evolving military doctrine centred on tri-service integration, precision strikes and rapid response .

The tableau commemorates Operation Sindoor , a major military operation launched by India on May 7, 2025 , in response to the Pahalgam terror attack . During the operation, Indian forces carried out targeted air strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territory , leading to four days of intense military exchanges before both sides reached an understanding to halt further action on May 10 .

Visually, the tableau narrates the operation in a sequential strike format , demonstrating coordinated action by the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force . It opens with the Indian Navy asserting maritime dominance , symbolising sea control and denial of operational freedom to adversaries.

This transitions to the Indian Army , where M777 ultra-light howitzers are depicted delivering precise and calibrated firepower to neutralise hostile threats. Behind them stands the Akash air defence system , representing India’s layered and integrated air defence shield .

The tableau also features a Harop loitering munition , highlighting India’s growing capabilities in unmanned and precision warfare , shown destroying an adversary’s air defence radar. This is followed by a Rafale fighter jet armed with SCALP missiles , executing surgical strikes on terror infrastructure .

A dramatic segment depicts a Su-30 MKI launching the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile , destroying hardened targets such as aircraft shelters , underscoring India’s capability to “strike deep, strike fast and strike flawlessly.”

The final phase showcases the S-400 Triumf air defence system , portrayed as conducting the longest-range engagement of the operation—up to 350 km , neutralising an adversary’s airborne early warning platform . This segment reinforces the message that India detects first, decides first and destroys first .

Officials said the tableau reflects a decisive shift in India’s national security doctrine, emphasising controlled escalation, intelligence fusion across domains, minimal collateral damage and decisive outcomes . It also projects indigenous defence capability , with the tableau powered by Brand India Defence , aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Overall, the tableau presents Operation Sindoor not just as a military action , but as a strategic declaration of India’s readiness to respond swiftly and jointly to terrorism, reinforcing the country’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 through a self-reliant, integrated and technologically advanced military .