This year, 128 Spanish servicemen from the Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the military parade on 14 July, as well as seven Guardia Civil officers. All of them belong to units that work together with French forces on international peacekeeping operations.
Ministerio de DefensaRepresenting the Spanish Army, the Flag and a company from the Nº 3 'Príncipe' Infantry Regiment belonging to the VII 'Galicia' Brigade took part in the parade, as well as two HA TIGER eurocopters and another two NH90 helicopters from the Aeromobile Forces of the Army (Spanish acronym: FAMET), with a total of 124 servicemen.
Representing the Spanish Navy, five crew members from the 'Cristóbal Colón' F-105 frigate (which took part in the 'Fanal' exercise organised by the French Navy in early 2019) and two midshipmen from the Marín Naval Military Academy (which runs a student exchange programme with the École Navale in France) all took part.
To take part in the air display over the French capital, the Spanish Air Force sent a C16 'EUROFIGHTER' from the 14th Wing and a KC130 'HERCULES' from the 31st Wing, with a total of seven crew.
The Rural Action Unit took part in the parade on behalf of the Spanish Guardia Civil.
Close defence relations
Ministerio de DefensaThe Armed Forces of Spain and France enjoy long-lasting close relations. The relationship between the Defence Ministries of the two countries is excellent and ongoing in all areas of cooperation, both bilateral and multilateral under the main security and defence organisations, including joint participation in numerous international operations.
This relationship is of particular relevance within the European Unionat the moment, where Spain and France (together with Germany) lead the main initiatives aimed at strengthening European defence.
This includes industrial and technological aspects, clearly highlighted by the recent signing by the three countries of an agreement for the joint development of a European air combat system.
July 14th parade
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Ministerio de Defensahe military parade, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille 230 years ago, has been celebrated since 1880 when 14 July was designated as a French national holiday.
Over the years, the parade has taken place in different parts of Paris but its regular location on the Champs-Élysées was institutionalised in 1980.
The chosen slogan for the celebration this year was "Acting together", which is why the French Armed Forces were accompanied by military units from another nine European countries: Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Non official translation
Ministerio de Defensa