IAF’s Republic Day fly-past features Rafale Pakistan claimed to have shot down during Op Sindoor

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• IAF displayed 29 aircraft in Republic Day fly-past, including Rafale and Su-30 MKI
• Rafale jet BS-022, falsely claimed shot down by Pakistan, featured in parade
• Fly-past formations honored Operation Sindoor, India's strikes on terror targets

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The Indian Air Force led the grand finale of the 77th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path on Monday with a large-scale aerial fly-past, showcasing India’s combat aircraft and operational capabilities.

Among the aircraft featured was a Rafale fighter jet bearing tail number BS-022, seen in a Republic Day video released by the IAF. The jet had earlier been falsely claimed by the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan-based propaganda accounts to have been shot down during the four-day military stand-off following Operation Sindoor. India has repeatedly clarified that none of its Rafale aircraft suffered any damage during the operation.

The fly-past featured 29 aircraft, including 16 fighter jets, four transport aircraft and nine helicopters. Aircraft participating included Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, Apache helicopters and the Indian Navy’s P-8i surveillance aircraft, all flying in coordinated formations over Kartavya Path.

Two Rafale jets, two MiG-29s, two Su-30s and one Jaguar formed the spearhead formation, referred to as the Sindoor formation. The display was dedicated to the Air Force’s role in Operation Sindoor, launched in May last year after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Six Rafale jets flew in the Vajraang formation, highlighting the IAF’s precision and operational readiness. The Vijay formation drew particular attention when a Rafale aircraft flew at a speed of 900 kmph at an altitude of 300 metres over the water channel north of Rajpath, before executing a Vertical Charlie manoeuvre.

During the manoeuvre, the aircraft flew low and fast before pulling into a steep vertical climb and performing multiple rolls, demonstrating the Rafale’s thrust, agility and the pilot’s skill.

About Operation Sindoor

India launched precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

In the initial phase, the Indian Air Force targeted terror camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. Indian officials said over 100 terrorists were killed, including family members and close aides of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

After Pakistan attempted a retaliatory response, including plans to target Indian cities and strategic installations, India escalated operations. In the second phase, carried out on the night of May 9–10, Indian forces struck multiple Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Murid and Rafiqui.

The operation triggered four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter aircraft, missiles and artillery before tensions eased.