Naval fighter jets make presence in Republic Day parade after 3 decades

New Delhi: After a gap of three decades, Navy's fighters participated in the Republic Day parade here on Monday as Russia-made MiG-29K planes flew past Rajpath where US President Barack Obama was the Chief Guest.

The force also showcased before Obama its P-81 maritime patrol aircraft which was recently acquired from the US.

One P-8I and two MiG-29K planes flew in a kind of a formation, with the surveillance aircraft being closely followed by the two fighters.

The last time Navy's fighter planes participated in the Republic Day parade was in 1984 when Sea Harriers flew past Rajpath.

MiG-29K fighters have been procured by India from Russia to fly from the decks of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya as well as indigenous carrier INS Vikrant, which is under construction.

The first MiG-29K squadron was commissioned in Goa in August, 2013.

The Navy has also acquired six P-81 aircraft and two more are in the process of being delivered. The Navy is to likely to go in for four more.