Parade of July 14: strategic solidarity and “moral forces” of France in the spotlight

2023-06-05 16:09:31

What will the 14th of July parade look like this year, when the war has returned to Europe ? One of the objectives of the 2023 edition will be to “recall our attachment to strategic solidarity with our allies”, explained the military governor of Paris (GMP), General Christophe Abad.

On the Champs-Élysées, an initial tableau will highlight 15 countries that have helped France during a decade of military engagement in the Sahel: Americans, Canadians and Europeans. Then the parade on foot will be opened by the Indian armed forces, in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, guest of honor of Emmanuel Macron. Paris intends to strengthen the strategic partnership with New Delhi, at a time when China is increasing its demonstrations of force.

Several foreign planes will parade, such as the Indian Rafale, the British Typhoon and the Belgian F-16, after the traditional passage of the Patrouille de France which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Another highlight: students from partner African military high schools (Benin, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal) will parade with residents of French military schools.

First parade for the light armored Serval

To embody French military aid to UkraineCaesar guns and AMX10-RC tanks, of the type given to kyiv, will parade in front of the Parisians.

This military parade will also aim to embody the military budget increasewhile Parliament must vote by July 14 on a new Military Programming Law (LPM) with an overall envelope of 413 billion euros by 2030. The light armored Serval will parade for the first time.

The “moral forces” of France will be the theme of the parade. A concept dear to the Chief of the Defense Staff, General Thierry Burkhard.

The operational reserve will be honoured. And the final animation, played on Place de la Concorde by young reservists, universal national service (SNU) and civic service, will celebrate the spirit of the Resistance by commemorating 1943, the year the French Resistance medal was created, the creation of the National Council of the Resistance, the death of the hero of the Resistance Jean Moulin and the birth of the “Chant des partisans”.