Indonesia’s Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) troops, as part of the joint Patriot II Task Force, captivated the audience at France’s Bastille Day parade in Paris. The Indonesian contingent impressed with a lively march and cultural performance on the iconic Champs-Élysées. Each military branch was symbolized by mascots – a leopard representing the Army, a shark for the Navy, and an eagle for the Air Force.
President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, watched the parade from the main tribune. Prabowo saluted as the Indonesian troops passed by, receiving enthusiastic applause from Macron in recognition of their remarkable performance. The 500-member Indonesian contingent included personnel from the TNI and cadets from Indonesia’s military and police academies, who had been preparing for the event since their arrival on 6 July 2025.
Bastille Day, celebrated annually on 14 July, commemorates the historic Storming of the Bastille in 1789, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. This year’s festivities also honored the 100th anniversary of La Flamme, the Eternal Flame beneath the Arc de Triomphe, and the Bleuet de France, a national symbol paying tribute to fallen soldiers and war victims. Indonesia’s participation in the parade not only signifies the strengthening bilateral ties between Indonesia and France but also underscores Indonesia’s commitment to defense diplomacy centered on peace, solidarity, and international cooperation.
