Military trellis and heavy helmet aboard their armored vehicles: the parade of July 14 in Paris put forward on Monday an army “lend to combat”, in the aftermath of Emmanuel Macron’s promise to further increase defense expenses in front “to a brighter world”.
Organized as a “real military operation” according to the military governor of Paris, General Loïc Mizon, the parade this year reflects the gravity of threats weighing on the security of the continent.
“Since 1945, freedom had never been so threatened,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday before a lounge of high officers, notably evoking the “lasting threat” that Russia weigh on the continent.
The Strategic National Review published Monday postulates that “it is now clear that we are entering a new era, that of a particularly high risk of a major high intensity war outside the national territory in Europe”.
“This would imply France and its allies in particular European, by 2030, and would see our territory targeted at the same time by massive hybrid actions”, specifies the document.
– Drones and anti -aircraft systems –
Consequently, despite economy efforts, France intends to strengthen its budgetary effort for the defense, adding expenses of 3.5 billion euros in 2026 and again an additional 3 billion the following year, so that the country’s defense budget will have almost doubled in ten years, to reach almost 64 billion euros in 2027.
An increase in military spending that 72% of French people seem ready to support, according to an ODOXA – Backbone survey for Le Figaro published on Monday.
The Patrouille de France above the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, July 9, 2025, during a rehearsal for the annual parade of July 14
Alain Jocard – AFP
During the parade on the prestigious Parisian avenue des Champs-Elysées, the French army wanted to highlight its “operational credibility” and its “strategic solidarity” with its partners.
“The army scrolls in a good war brigade, that is to say ready to combat,” said General Mizon on RTL radio.
Soldiers from the 7th armored brigade paraded in combat clothes on Leclerc tanks, caesar self-propelled cannons or VBCI combat armored vehicles, equipped with their heavy helmet and bulletproof vest. Drones or SAMP/T anti-aircraft systems have also been in sight.
The Air Voltige Elite Team of the French Air Force, the “Patrol of France” (PAF), releases trails in the national colors of France as it flew during the annual military parade of the National Day, on the avenue des Champs-Élysées with the Arc de Triomphe in the background, in Paris, July 14, 2025
Ludovic MARIN – AFP
Paris is able to deploy this year if necessary, a brigade – more than 7,000 men with all ammunition and logistics – in ten days. In 2027, the ambition is to do the same for a division (more than 20,000 men) in 30 days.
– Morse head –
To embody the partnerships of France paraded a Belgian-Luxembourg company, the Franco-Finlandian binational force, composing the rapid reaction force of the Finul, the Mission of the UN in Lebanon, or the crew of the Auvergne frigate, which carried out several deployments in Baltic and Arctic in order to support NATO operations.
Preceded by the Patrouille de France and the air parade, more than 450 Indonesian soldiers, including the musicians of a “Drumband”, in a variegated uniform and the head covered with a pilot helmet, a head of tiger, eagle, Morse or shark according to their body of belonging, had opened the parade in front of the French president Emmanuel Macron and his Subaianto, as well as the emir of Kuwait Mechal al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
Paris has concluded a strategic partnership with Jakarta to weigh in the Indo-Pacific Zone.
Members of the voluntary military service (SMV) and the adapted military service (SMA) of New Caledonia, training and integration systems in employment have also been honored, while Emmanuel Macron says he wants to give “a new framework” so that “youth have the opportunity to serve”.
Previously, at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, the Head of State had given to the president of the Flame Committee, on the occasion of his centenary, a sword used to rekindle the flame of the unknown soldier each evening, representing the French fighters who fell in battle.
The entertainment of the parade also celebrated the centenary of the Bleuet de France, an institution created in 1925 to work for solidarity with the fighting world by distributing fabric blueberries.
By Mathieu Rabechault / Paris (AFP) / © 2025 AFP
