Overview

• France’s annual military parade on the Champs-Élysées saw a record 7,000 personnel marching on foot, horseback and in armoured vehicles.
• Indonesia served as guest of honour with President Prabowo Subianto attending and 450 Indonesian soldiers, including 200 drummers, participating in the procession.
• On the eve of Bastille Day, President Macron pledged an extra €6.5 billion in military funding over two years to address threats from Russia, terrorism and cyberattacks.
• For the first time, troops in full combat gear marched alongside ceremonial units and drones conducted coordinated displays above the Eiffel Tower to showcase operational readiness.
• The celebrations ended with a fireworks and drone spectacle at the Eiffel Tower followed by the conferral of the Legion of Honour on Gisele Pelicot and rescuer Fousseynou Samba Cisse.