Tuesday’s parade will double as a national celebration and a final showcase for Macron’s vision of European security
President Emmanuel Macron is using France’s Bastille Day celebrations to showcase Europe’s growing defence ambitions, hosting dozens of allied leaders ahead of an expanded military parade intended to signal the continent’s rearmament.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris on Monday to join about 30 leaders from the so-called Coalition of the Willing, the group seeking to provide security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
The Élysée said Tuesday’s parade would highlight France’s military build-up, Europe’s drive to strengthen its own defence capabilities and what it described as the continent’s “strategic awakening” as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and wider geopolitical tensions drive higher defence spending.
The display will be substantially larger than last year’s, with 6,800 troops marching – about 15% more than in 2025 – alongside a 30% increase in military vehicles and aircraft, according to the French presidency.
