Suryastra MLRS during Full Dress Rehearsal of 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path (Photo: MoD)
New Delhi: Lieutenant Mehak Bhati, an officer in the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery, will lead the contingent of the multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) “Suryastra” at the 77th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path, New Delhi.
Speaking during an interaction with reporters, Lt Mehak Bhati said, “Suryastra is a universal rocket launcher system that will be showcased for the first time on Kartavya Path. It is slated for induction into the Indian Army. As a multiple launch rocket system, it is capable of firing rockets of multiple calibres from a single launcher.”
Explaining the significance of its name, she added, “The term Suryastra reflects its ability to strike deep into enemy territory and significantly enhance the long-range strike capability of the Artillery.”
Lt Mehak comes from a politically active family from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district. Her grandmother was a veteran Congress leader, while her father is an active party leader. Her uncle is a serving officer in the Army.
Let’s know about the Suryastra multiple rocket launcher system
The inclusion of Suryastra in the parade is being seen as a strong symbol of India’s growing emphasis on indigenous innovation, technological self-reliance, and national strength.
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Suryastra, developed under India’s indigenous research and development initiatives, represents a major step forward in advanced defence and strategic capability.
Its participation in the Republic Day parade reflects the country’s commitment to showcasing homegrown systems on a global stage and reinforcing the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
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On January 3, the defence ministry inked a contract with Pune-based Nibe Limited for the supply of an undisclosed number of Suryastra systems, with a total value of $32.593 million (approximately ₹293 crore).
The Suryastra system is mounted on a Tatra T815 6×6 chassis, which is manufactured in India under licence by BELM.
