politics
France Holds Bastille Day Military Parade with 6,700 Troops
France staged its annual Bastille Day military parade on July 14, 2026, featuring nearly 6,700 troops, 98 aircraft, and displays of Griffon and Jaguar vehicles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended as guest of honor during President Emmanuel Macron's final parade before stepping down next year.
Jul 14, 10:13 AM·1m read10 sources
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France held its largest Bastille Day military parade on July 14, 2026, with nearly 6,700 troops, 98 aircraft, 31 helicopters, and 315 vehicles marching along the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. The parade included 25 Ukrainian soldiers marching alongside troops from a coalition of European nations supporting Ukraine.
Ukrainian pilots trained in France co-piloted two French Mirage 2000 fighter jets during the flyover, and French aircraft carried dummy Scalp cruise missiles for the first time.
The event showcased Griffon and Jaguar armored vehicles along with drones mounted on transport trucks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended as guest of honor, and other European leaders were present. A French presidential official said the parade illustrated France's rearmament, strategic autonomy, and Europe's strategic awakening.
Deputy defense minister Alice Rufo told RTL radio that the event showed a Europe united and determined to support Ukraine. Chief of the Defense Staff General Fabien Mandon described the parade on X as a physical embodiment of strategic solidarity between countries.
President Emmanuel Macron stated in a speech to the armed forces that Europe would fight for freedom even if it required its own troops shedding blood.
Macron was scheduled to travel to Nice later in the day.
