What will the July 14 parade look like this year, as war has made a comeback in 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 painting will highlight 15 countries that have helped France during a decade of military engagement in the Sahel: Americans, Canadians and Europeans. Then the foot parade 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 multiplying its shows of force.
Several foreign planes will take off, such as the Indian Rafale, the British Typhoon and the Belgian F-16, after the traditional passage of the Patrouille de France which celebrates its 70th anniversary. Another highlight: students from African military high schools partners (Benin, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal) will march with the boarders of French military schools.
First parade for the Serval light armoured vehicle
To embody French military aid to Ukraine, Caesar guns and AMX10-RC armored vehicles, of the type given to Kiev, will parade in front of Parisians.
This military parade will also be intended to embody the increase in the budget of the armed forces, while Parliament must vote by July 14 a new Military Programming Law (LPM) with a total envelope of 413 billion euros by 2030. The Serval light armoured vehicle will parade for the first time.
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The "moral forces" of the France will be the theme of the parade. A notion dear to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Thierry Burkhard.
The operational reserve will be honoured. And the final animation, played Place de la Concorde by young reservists, universal national service (SNU) and civic service, will celebrate the spirit of the Resistance by commemorating 1943, year of creation of the medal of the French Resistance, the creation of the National Council of the Resistance, the death of the hero of the Resistance Jean Moulin and the birth of the "Song of the Partisans".
