In the military parade set for Saturday, 7th June, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to mark Armed Forces Day, presided over by the Spanish monarchs, there will be 3,266 troops, 35 aircraft, 21 helicopters, 67 vehicles, and 33 motorbikes. The event, starting at 11:30am, will take place on Avenida de La Constitución, between the Recinto Ferial roundabout and the Hacienda roundabout. This will be the most significant military display in the capital for the past four decades.
General Sequence
The event kicks off with the Honour Battalion of the Royal Guard assembling before the Royal Tribune on Avenida de La Constitución. It continues with the National Flag joining the Honour Battalion, the arrival of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Defence Minister, and ultimately, the Spanish monarchs at the Royal Tribune. There will be military honours for the Royals, updates from the Honour Battalion’s chief to the King, the King’s review of the Honour Battalion, the monarchs greeting dignitaries, and a parachute jump bearing the Spanish Flag. This year, the Air and Space Army’s Parachute Team (Papea) will jump with the flag marking the tenth anniversary of the King’s proclamation.
The parade proceeds with the national flag-raising, a tribute to those who laid down their lives for Spain, a flypast in the national colours by the Eagle Patrol, and further aerial and terrestrial processions. It culminates with another flypast, the monarchs greeting military leaders and participants, their departure, and the lowering of the flag.
Marching Parade
The marching segment spans 1,120 metres and features the Royal Guard, Army, Navy, Air and Space Force, Emergency Military Unit (UME), Royal Guard, and Civil Guard. Of the troops marching in Santa Cruz, 2,841 are men and 425 women. The Eurocorps flag, carried by a Spanish officer and escorted by sub-officers from Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Poland, will also be present.
Aerial Parade
The aerial display includes 35 aircraft and 21 helicopters, with the skies of the capital reverberating with Eurofighter, Harrier, and F-18 planes among others.
Ground Parade
The ground parade comprises 67 vehicles and 33 motorbikes, highlighted by the Royal Guard’s motorbike section. Featured vehicles include Leopard 2E tanks, light all-terrain trucks, Iveco fire engines, and missile launchers.
