Aviation News, July 13, 2025 – The annual Bastille Day celebrations on July 14 will once again feature a grand military flypast, organized in two main segments over the Avenue des Champs Élysées. The event opens with a parade of aircraft in the skies 10:25 Paris Time (GMT+2), followed by a traditional ground troop march, and concludes with a helicopter flyover at 11:22.
This year’s aerial display includes a total of 70 aircraft—63 from France and 7 from allied nations—arranged into 13 thematic segments. The flypast will be led by eight Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France, setting the tone for the entire celebration.
Air Defense in the Spotlight
The first segment highlights air defense operations, featuring six aircraft from the French Air and Space Force (AAE):
- 1 AWACS
- 1 Rafale B
- 2 Mirage 2000-5
- 2 Rafale C
These will be joined by 4 Eurofighter Typhoons from Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with 1 F/A-18 from Switzerland and 1 F-16 from Belgium.
This showcase coincides with the 80th anniversary of French Air Defense.
Airborne Deterrence and Aerial Superiority
Next, a KC-135 tanker aircraft, flanked by four Rafale B fighters, will represent France’s airborne deterrence capabilities. This summer marks the retirement of the KC-135, which is being replaced by the A330 MRTT. One of these new MRTTs will also fly over the Champs-Élysées in the aerial superiority segment, presented by the Fighter Aviation Air Brigade (BAAC). This display includes:
- 1 Rafale
- 1 Rafale B
- 2 Mirage 2000D
The purpose of this segment is to demonstrate France’s ability to achieve operational and technological dominance in air and space.
Military Innovation and Training
The Centre of Military Air Expertise (CEAM), responsible for developing and testing new capabilities, will highlight military and aerial innovation with:
- 1 A400M
- 2 Rafales
- 1 Mirage 2000D
In a separate formation focused on fighter pilot training, spectators will see:
- 2 Alphajets
- 2 Rafale B
- 2 Mirage 2000B
- 2 PC-21 trainer aircraft
Naval Aviation Takes Flight
The French Navy will participate in two distinct flypast segments:
- Carrier-based Air Group, emphasizing power projection and control of maritime airspace:
- 5 Rafale M
- 1 E-2C Hawkeye
- 1 Dassault Falcon 10
- Maritime Surveillance and Patrol:
- 1 Atlantique 2
- 1 Falcon 50
Long-Range Operations and Force Projection
The AAE will also showcase its long-range deployment capabilities through three dedicated segments:
- Force Projection Mission:
- 3 A400M (including 2 configured as tankers, plus 1 from Spain)
- Overseas Assault and Support Mission:
- 1 C-130J
- 1 Falcon
- 2 CASA aircraft
- Transport Aviation Training:
- 2 TBM700
- 1 Xingu
- 2 SR22
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Civil Protection
The 33rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Attack Wing (33e ESRA) will present a reconnaissance and intelligence segment featuring:
- 1 ALSR VADOR light surveillance aircraft
- 1 MQ-9 Reaper drone
Finally, French Civil Security will underline its critical role in firefighting with the appearance of a Dash 8 multi-role aircraft, a key asset in combating wildfires.
Key Figures and Technical Details
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Total aircraft: 70
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53 from the French Air and Space Force
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9 from the French Navy
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1 from Civil Security
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7 from foreign armed forces (Spain, Germany, UK, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland)
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Flight altitude: Approximately 1,000 feet (305 meters)
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Speed:
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Jet aircraft: 300 knots (~555 km/h)
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Propeller aircraft: 180 knots (~330 km/h)
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Separation distances:
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Between aircraft: 3 to 20 meters
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Between aircraft formations: around 40 seconds apart, equating to 6 km (fighter jets) and 3.6 km (tactical transport aircraft)
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Photo French Air Force
