The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase its latest path-breaking innovations aimed at strengthening national security during the 77th Republic Day celebrations. DRDO’s advanced defence systems will be on display at the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path as well as at Bharat Parv, to be held at the Red Fort.
A key highlight of the Republic Day Parade will be the display of the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) along with its launcher. Designed to meet the coastal defence requirements of the Indian Navy, the LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile capable of engaging both static and moving targets. The missile, equipped with indigenous avionics and high-accuracy sensor packages, represents a major technological milestone in India’s missile capabilities.
The LR-AShM follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, reaching speeds up to Mach 10 and maintaining an average speed of around Mach 5 with multiple skips. Its low-altitude flight, high manoeuvrability and hypersonic speed make detection by enemy ground- and ship-based radars extremely difficult for most of its trajectory. The missile is powered by a two-stage solid propulsion system, which boosts it to hypersonic velocity before it transitions into an unpowered glide phase to accurately engage targets.
In addition to the parade, DRDO’s tableau will be showcased at Bharat Parv from January 26 to 31. The theme of the tableau, ‘Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines’, will highlight indigenously developed systems that act as force multipliers for conventional submarines of the Indian Navy.
The tableau will feature the Integrated Combat Suite (ICS), a next-generation submarine-based defence system that provides comprehensive situational awareness for underwater warfare and anti-submarine operations. Developed through the collaborative efforts of eight DRDO laboratories and around 150 industry partners and MSMEs, the ICS enables threat assessment, tactical decision-making and weapon guidance.
Also on display will be the Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT), a modern submarine-launched torpedo designed to counter advanced ship and submarine threats. Considered a primary weapon in anti-submarine warfare, the WGHWT is critical as the Indian Navy expands its submarine fleet to maintain dominance in blue-water operations.
Another major attraction will be the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, developed to enhance submarines’ underwater endurance and stealth. Powered by an indigenously developed phosphoric acid fuel cell with a novel onboard hydrogen generator, the AIP system allows submarines to operate silently underwater for extended periods. The modular design of the technology makes it adaptable for future submarine platforms as well.
Several other DRDO-developed systems will be displayed as part of the Armed Forces contingents at Kartavya Path, including the Arjun Main Battle Tank, Nag Missile System (NAMIS-II), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, BrahMos missile, Akash air defence system, Battlefield Surveillance Radar and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
DRDO continues to play a pivotal role as the design and development agency for India’s Armed Forces. Its indigenous defence innovations reinforce the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and reflect close collaboration with academia, industry and the armed services. The display of these systems at Republic Day 2026 underscores India’s growing self-reliance in defence technologies and its strides towards advanced military capability.
