In order to participate in the French National Day parade, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honor, India is getting ready to send a military contingent, including fighter planes.
On July 14, Bastille Day, Paris hosts France’s National military procession. Additionally, the visit commemorates the “strategic partnership” between France and India, which was established 25 years ago.
“The Indian military contingent would be including a marching contingent and the Indian Air Force would be deploying its fighter aircraft to take part in the flypast of the event,” the defence officials told.
The Rafale combat aircraft, which is also a part of India’s arsenal, will be flown by the French Air Force during the display. India may send aircraft from the Jaguar fleet which has been designed by France and joined the Indian Air Force in the 1980s in significant numbers.
French sent a delegation in 2016 with President Francois Hollande as chief guest of Republic Day
The French side also sent a delegation in 2016, when French President Francois Hollande visited India for the Republic Day celebration.
At that time, 56 members of the 35th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Armoured Brigade from France had arrived.
Between 1781 and 1784, their regiment’s troops were stationed in India. 48 musicians playing pipes and drums marched ahead of the contingent.
The regiments from India that have a history of fighting in the French region during the previous century’s battles may also deploy a contingent.