Led by Parade Commander Lt. Gen. Bhavnish Kumar, GOC Delhi Area, the 77th Republic Day parade saw the Indian Army present a phased 'battle array format', including an aerial element, for the first time. The newly raised Bhairav Battalion, an assault infantry unit positioned between regular infantry and special forces, made its debut, and the 61 Cavalry appeared in combat uniform. A European Union military contingent took part, the EU's first such participation outside Europe. Thirty tableaux (17 from States/UTs and 13 from Ministries) were displayed, and spectator enclosures were named after Indian rivers.