The French national holiday, commemorating the storming of the Bastille, will be the backdrop for the spectacular air parade of the Air and Space Force.
The parade will be divided into different blocks, during which different formations of air assets, belonging to all branches of the French Armed Forces, will follow one after the other.
The first one will be in charge of the Patrouille acrobatique de France (PAF), which traditionally opens the French air parades.
Patrouille de France
The PAF has been performing the air show in Alphajets for 39 years. Nine pilots and 37 mechanics represent the know-how of the entire Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (AAE) within the Patrouille de France.
Pilots and mechanics of all specialties come from AAE fighter squadrons and are destined to return to them at the end of their time in the PAF.
Projecting power
The next block will consist of a formation of A330 Phénix refueling and multirole transport A330s, together with two Rafale (1 two-seater from the 4th Fighter Wing and 1 single-seater from the 30th).
The intent is to demonstrate the Air and Space Force’s capabilities to conduct operations over very long distances and its ability to project power.
Supporting our citizens
An A330 and an A400M will parade together in the third block “Supporting our nationals”. Both aircraft took part in the APAGAN exfiltration operation aimed at evacuating by air more than 3,000 people in Afghanistan following the deterioration of the security situation in the country.
42 rotations of tactical transport aircraft (C-130, A400M) and strategic transport aircraft (A330-200 MRTT Phénix, A310) established an air bridge between Kabul and France.
Surveillance and air defense
Fighter aviation, composed of Rafale C (single-seat) and Mirage 2000-5 aircraft will parade over the skies of Paris, accompanying E-3F AWACS, A330 Phénix and C-135 Stratotanker.
Multirole transport
The next block will feature transport and cargo aircraft, with an A400M Atlas and a C-130J from the Franco-German squadron.
In the Franco-German transport squadron, French and German soldiers work in mixed teams.
Overseas operations
This block demonstrates the expeditionary capability of the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace to conduct operations abroad.
The aircraft on parade will be single and two-seat Rafale fighters, Mirage 2000 C and D and a C-135.
Nuclear deterrence
An A330 Phénix and 4 Rafales make up the 8th “deterrent” block. The 5 aircraft represent the Strategic Air Forces, which have ensured the permanence of the French nuclear deterrent since October 8, 1964, thanks to the triptych composed of the Rafale, the ASMPA missile and the Phénix MRTT.
The last Mirage 2000C parade
As part of the Airspace Protection block, the Champs Elysées will be flown over by a formation of one E-3F Awacs, one two-seater Rafale, one Mirage 2000-5 and two Mirage 2000C.
Following its retirement from active service on June 23, the Mirage 2000C will make its last flight on July 14.
Crew training
Two PC-21, a new fighter aircrew training aircraft, and two Xingu, a transport aircrew training aircraft, will be in charge of demonstrating aircrew training capabilities.
French Navy
Of course, the Royale will participate in the air parade, which will feature Rafale M (the navalized version for embarked operations), an E-2C Hawkeye embarked early warning aircraft and Atlantique II and a Falcon 50M maritime patrol aircraft.
Helicopters arrive for the grand finale
The sky will be filled with helicopters of the different armed and security forces, as a closing ceremony to the large aerial parade on July 14.
