Each year, France’s National Day (also known as Bastille Day) military parade begins with a grand aerial display over the Champs-Élysées, showcasing the full spectrum of French and allied air power. For its 2025 edition, the Ministry of the Armed Forces has revealed a total of 65 aircraft and 29 helicopters, joined by several drones and systems in the land parade.
Among the highlights this year:
- The return of the KC-135 for one of its final flypasts before retirement
- The participation of international aircraft from Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom
Curious about which aircraft took flight for the “14th of July” parade? We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the Bastille Day flypast as provided by the French Ministry of Armed Forces.
What aircraft will fly over Paris on July 14, 2025?
Fixed-wing aircraft:
“La Grande Dame” (Opening flypast)
- 8 Alphajets (Patrouille de France)
“Défense aérienne” (Air defense)
- 1 E-3F AWACS
- 2 Rafale C
- 1 Rafale B
- 1 Swiss F/A-18
- 1 Belgian F-16
- 1 German Typhoon
- 1 Spanish Typhoon
- 1 British Typhoon
- 1 Italian Typhoon
- 1 Mirage 2000-5
“Dissuasion aéroportée” (Airborne nuclear deterrence)
- 1 KC-135
- 4 Rafale B
“Supériorité aérienne” (Air superiority)
- 1 A330 MRTT Phénix
- 2 Mirage 2000 D
- 1 Rafale C
- 1 Rafale B
“Innovation aérienne militaire” (Military aviation innovation)
- 1 A400M Atlas
- 1 Mirage 2000 D
- 2 Rafale B
“Formation de l’aviation de chasse” (fighter training)
- 2 PC-21
- 2 Alphajet
- 2 Mirage 2000 B
- 2 Rafale B
“Groupe aérien embarqué” (Carrier air group)
- 5 Rafale M
- 1 E-2C Hawkeye
- 1 Falcon 10
“Patrouille de surveillance maritime” (Maritime patrol)
- 1 ATL2
- 1 Falcon 50
“Projection de force” (Force projection)
- 4 A400M Atlas (including 1 from Spain)
“Assaut et appui outre-mer” (Overseas assault and support)
- 1 Falcon 900
- 1 C-130J
- 2 CN-235
“Transport aérien militaire” (Military air transport)
- 1 Xingu
- 2 TBM 700
- 2 SR22 Cirrus
“Reconnaissance & renseignement” (Recon & ISR)
- 1 MQ-9 Reaper
- 1 ALSR (Vador)
“Lutte contre les incendies” (Firefighting)
- 1 Dash 8 (sécurité civile)
Helicopters
“Protection du territoire national” (Territorial protection)
- 3 Fennec
- 1 Puma
- 1 Caracal
“Marine nationale” (French Navy)
- 1 NH90 Caiman (France)
- 1 NH90 Caiman (Italy)
- 1 Dauphin
“Formation des équipages” (Helicopter training)
- 3 Calliope H120
- 3 Fennec
“Reconnaissance & attaque” (Recon and attack)
- 3 Gazelle
- 4 Tigre
“Manœuvre – assaut” (Air assault and maneuver)
- 1 Puma
- 2 Cougar
- 4 NH90 Caiman
“Gendarmerie nationale” (National Gendarmerie)
- 1 EC145
- 2 EC135
“Sécurité civile” (Civil security)
- 1 H145
“Douane” (Customs)
- 1 EC135
Land parade additions: Drones and air defense
This year’s ground component includes notable air-related systems:
- DT46 artillery reconnaissance drone
- SMDR mini-UAV tactical reconnaissance system
- Tundra drone and SAMP/T Mamba surface-to-air missile battery for airbase protection