A record 7,000 military personnel – some in combat gear – have marched down the Champs-Elysées in this year's Bastille Day parade, demonstrating the French military's "operational credibility" in the face of mounting security challenges, notably from Russia. The guest of honour this year is Indonesia.
Troops from Indonesia, the country of honour, led the annual Bastille Day parade which featured more than 7,000 personnel – the largest contingent ever to march down Paris's most famous avenue.
The march came just hours after President Emmanuel Macron warned that "never since 1945 has freedom been so threatened", citing Russia's "lasting threat" to the continent.
General Loïc Mizon, Military Governor of Paris, described the display as reflecting the French military's "operational credibility" in the face of mounting security challenges. "We are seeking to express operational credibility, firstly through the number of personnel involved," he told RFI ahead of the parade.
In an unprecedented move, soldiers from the 7th Armoured Brigade marched in full combat gear – helmets, body armour and battle dress – rather than ceremonial uniforms, in what Mizon described as "a clear demonstration of our determination and effectiveness".
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France's latest National Strategic Review, published Monday, warns that the country is entering "a new era" with "particularly high risk of a major high-intensity war outside national territory in Europe" that could involve France and its European allies by 2030.
Despite the need for drastic budget cuts, Macron has pledged to increase defence spending by €3.5 billion in 2026 and another €3 billion in 2027, nearly doubling the defence budget over his two terms to reach approximately €64 billion. A poll published Monday showed 72 percent of French citizens support an increase in military spending.
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Honouring Indonesia
Over 450 Indonesian military personnel led the march in colourful uniforms topped with helmets shaped like tiger heads, eagles, walruses and sharks. The choice of Indonesia as guest of honour reflects France's Indo-Pacific strategy, after Paris concluded a strategic partnership with Jakarta.
"Indonesia is a key player and a longstanding strategic partner," General Mizon said, acknowledging that the invitation also serves commercial interests as France seeks to sell Rafale jets, submarines and Caesar howitzers to the Southeast Asian nation.
"France is a major industrial nation, with one of the world's top defence technology bases. We are proud to demonstrate that our equipment ranks among the best in the world," he said.
Other international contingents included Belgian and Luxembourg forces, the Franco-Finnish UNIFIL force from Lebanon, and the crew of the frigate Auvergne, which has conducted deployments in the Baltic and Arctic to support NATO operations.
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'Real military operation'
The parade also featured modern military technology, including drones flying over Paris for the first time. "This brings a particular complexity: we will have to manage both our own drones and the anti-drone systems protecting the airspace," General Mizon explained. "It's a real demonstration of military readiness, akin to what happens in combat zones – operating drones while also defending against them."
France aims to be able to deploy a full brigade – over 7,000 troops with ammunition and logistics – within ten days if necessary. By 2027, the goal is to deploy an entire division of more than 20,000 personnel within 30 days.
The parade, organised "like a real military operation" according to General Mizon, featured representatives from all military branches, including the Air and Space Force's space command appearing for the first time. The display included 65 aircraft, 34 helicopters, 247 vehicles and 200 horses from the Republican Guard.
The ceremony began with Macron presenting a ceremonial sword to the Committee of the Flame to mark its centenary, recognising the organisation that tends the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The parade also celebrated the centenary of the Bleuet de France, created in 1925 to support French veterans.
