European troops and warplanes join Paris Bastille Day parade to support Ukraine

European troops and warplanes join Paris Bastille Day parade to support Ukraine

European military forces and Ukrainian troops marched down the Champs-Élysées on July 14, 2026, in a massive display of unity and military strength. The Bastille Day parade served as a symbolic message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump that Europe is united and stepping up its own defense.

The event marked the final Bastille Day for President Emmanuel Macron, who is set to step down after two terms next spring. He hosted around 30 other heads of state or government in a special viewing area, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who received an ovation upon arrival.

The procession featured record numbers of participants. The Paris military governor stated 7,600 troops marched this year, compared with 5,810 in 2025, while other reports cited 6,800 personnel. The event included 98 aircraft, 31 helicopters, more than 300 vehicles, and 193 horses from the Republican Guard.

The parade opened with around 500 troops from the coalition of the willing, a grouping of 35 countries pledged to assist with the postwar security of Ukraine. In a break with tradition, these foreign fighters marched with their national flags. The British contribution was the largest since 2004, with soldiers from the Grenadier Guards marching alongside France's 1st Infantry Regiment of the Republican Guard.

Ukrainian forces received the loudest cheers from the crowds. The display included 25 members of Ukraine's presidential guard. In the air, Ukrainian co-pilots trained in France flew aboard two Mirage 2000B fighter jets alongside French pilots.

The flypast included a wide array of European aircraft:

• United Kingdom: An RAF F-35 and an A400M Atlas transport aircraft.
• Germany: A Eurofighter and an A400M aircraft.
• Other nations: Fighters from Denmark (F-35), Sweden (Gripen), Poland (F-16), Spain (F-18), Italy (Tornado), as well as aircraft from Croatia, Greece, and Norway.

The United States was absent from the international contingent because Washington is not a member of the coalition. The coalition, jointly led by Britain and France, has established an operational headquarters near Paris and is preparing joint exercises to guarantee any ceasefire against Russian attacks.

The military display followed a summit where Britain agreed to join a €90bn European Union loan scheme for Ukraine. This agreement allows Kyiv to purchase British artillery ammunition, air-defence equipment, and long-range missiles. Furthermore, Britain, Ukraine, and eight European nations agreed to develop a continental anti-ballistic missile system to reduce reliance on the U.S.-made Patriot system.

President Zelenskyy and President Macron also announced a roadmap for Ukraine to acquire 16 French Rafale fighters, with the first expected in service by 2028 or 2029. Kyiv will also receive SAMP/T air-defence batteries and produce French Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, Scalp cruise missiles, and AASM guided bombs under licence.

While the parade proceeded, France struggled with a red-alert heat wave and raging forest fires, including a blaze in the Fontainebleau forest that has burned more than 2,000 hectares. These conditions forced authorities in several regions, including Paris, to cancel traditional firefighters' balls and fireworks displays. However, the Eiffel Tower's drone show and fireworks were maintained on Monday night.

The parade concluded with a tribute to the 400th anniversary of the French navy, featuring the Breton Bagad de Lann-Bihoué and the navy band. The event ended with leaders and flag-bearers from all participating nations gathering around a large French flag.