France Honors Indonesian Military at Bastille Day
Prabowo Subianto Guest of Honor as Troops March Champs-Élysées
French President **Emmanuel Macron** lauded Indonesian President **Prabowo Subianto** as a cherished friend while celebrating the historic participation of an Indonesian joint military-police contingent in Paris’s Bastille Day parade.
A Monumental Display of Partnership
President **Prabowo Subianto** graced the national day festivities in Paris as a special guest, marking a significant moment in Franco-Indonesian relations. President **Macron** expressed his admiration for the Indonesian forces marching alongside French troops on the iconic Champs-Élysées.
Thank you for attending our national day celebrations, friend Prabowo.
I am proud to see Indonesian soldiers marching alongside our troops.
I have a fresh memory of my May visit, especially when I was at the Military Academy in Magelang at the heart of Java Island, where I met Indonesian soldiers who were learning French.
From Jakarta to Paris, our strategic partnership will endure and grow stronger.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 16, 2025
President **Macron**’s sentiments were shared on his X account, where he noted the resonance of the parade with his own visit to the Indonesian Military Academy in Magelang earlier in May. There, he met Indonesian military personnel studying the French language.
“I have a fresh memory of my May visit, especially when I was at the Military Academy in Magelang at the heart of Java Island, where I met Indonesian soldiers who were learning French.”
—Emmanuel Macron, President of France
The Indonesian contingent, formally designated the Patriot II Task Force, held the honor of opening the grand parade. This distinguished unit comprised 451 personnel from Indonesia’s military, police, and their respective academies, including a vibrant drum band and majorette unit.
A Harmonious Accord
As the Indonesian contingent advanced, their drum band performed the patriotic Indonesian song “Maju Tak Gentar,” adding a powerful cultural dimension to the ceremony. President **Prabowo Subianto** stood at attention, offering a salute to his nation’s troops, while President **Macron** visibly applauded their performance.
President **Prabowo Subianto** conveyed his deep appreciation for the invitation, stating his pride in the Indonesian contingent’s role in the military parade. He emphasized the significance of such exchanges in fostering international understanding and cooperation, echoing the sentiment that strategic partnerships continue to strengthen across continents.
Indonesia’s participation underscores a growing diplomatic and defense alliance between the two nations. In 2023, France was the leading investor in Indonesia’s defense sector, injecting over €1 billion into joint projects and technology transfer, highlighting the depth of this evolving relationship (Janes, 2024).
Shared Visions for the Future
President **Prabowo Subianto** observed the Bastille Day parade from a prominent position alongside President **Macron**, his wife **Brigitte Macron**, and other high-ranking French officials, signifying the elevated status of Indonesia’s participation.
The event not only celebrated France’s national day but also served as a powerful symbol of the enduring and expanding strategic partnership between Indonesia and France, from Jakarta to Paris.
