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Indian Army to Debut Animal Contingent at Republic Day 2026 Parade

The curated RVC lineup signals a fusion of traditional pack animals with modern surveillance roles to underscore indigenisation.

Overview

  • The contingent will include two Bactrian camels, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors, ten Indian-breed Army dogs and six conventional military dogs, according to multiple reports citing the Army and ANI.
  • Bactrian camels, recently inducted for Ladakh, support last-mile logistics and mounted patrols above 15,000 feet while carrying loads of up to about 250 kilograms.
  • Indigenous Zanskar ponies, in service since 2020, operate in extreme cold and high altitude, carrying 40–60 kilograms and working in areas including the Siachen Glacier.
  • Four trained raptors will be showcased for surveillance and bird-strike control, a capability publicly demonstrated during the 2022 India–US Yudh Abhyas exercise.
  • The RVC formation will be led by a woman officer, and the dog squad spotlights a push to field Indian breeds trained at the RVC Centre and College in Meerut.