Poland holds largest-ever military parade in Warsaw with 2,000 troops and F-35s over the capital

Warsaw military parade

On Saturday, 15 August, Poland marked Armed Forces Day with a military parade along Warsaw's Wisłostrada, starting at noon. Nearly 2,000 soldiers and 300 machines participated, including modern equipment such as Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, K2 tanks, and Patriot missile launchers. About 60 aircraft flew over the capital, among them the newest F-35 fighter jets. The parade, held under the slogan "Polska SAFE - bezpieczna Polska" (Poland SAFE - Safe Poland), is described as the largest military parade in Poland's history. President Karol Nawrocki attended and was scheduled to deliver a speech during the event, with Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also among the participants. Crowds of Warsaw residents gathered along the route from early morning despite traffic disruptions.

The celebrations commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw of 1920, when Polish forces repelled Bolshevik armies from the gates of Warsaw and began pushing them eastward. The holiday was established on 15 August in 1923, moved after 1947 to May and then to 12 October under communist rule to commemorate the Battle of Lenino, and restored to 15 August in 1992.

Naval parade and Tusk's address in Gdyni

Parallel celebrations took place in the port city of Gdyni, where a naval parade with approximately 20 units of the Polish Navy and allied vessels began at 11:30. Prime Minister Donald Tusk spoke there, framing the day around four pillars of national security and addressing Russia's unpredictable actions.

Tusk recalled the historical significance of the day and paid tribute to Poland's sailors.

Here, in Gdyni, especially to the sailors. Without their sacrifice, without their dedication, Poland would not be a free, sovereign state today.

He then stressed Poland's defense buildup and the importance of preparedness.

We want to avoid war, and only the one who is strong, well-prepared, truly independent and sovereign will avoid it.

The prime minister outlined four pillars of security. The first, secure borders, he linked to Poland's deterrence of illegal crossings. The second, real alliances and wise foreign policy, included references to the Tarcza Wschód (East Shield) initiative, treaties signed with France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, and Poland's role in maintaining NATO unity. He also reaffirmed Poland's support for Ukraine. The third pillar, large-scale military investment, was tied to Poland's defense spending at nearly 5% of GDP. Tusk described the fourth pillar as a growing economy, noting that Poland develops four times faster.

Defense spending and the "Safe Baltic" program

Tusk announced 3.4 billion PLN directed toward the "Bezpieczny Bałtyk" (Safe Baltic) program under the Polska SAFE framework, aimed at protecting Poland's coastline, critical infrastructure, and maritime trade routes.

Our army will be the largest in Europe. We are building a force that will decide the fate of the region. The whole world appreciates this. This is your success. Nearly 5 percent of GDP on our armaments.

Morning ceremonies and traffic disruptions

The day began with a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 10:00, attended by representatives of the highest state authorities, who then proceeded to stands built along Wisłostrada for the noon parade. A Mass was held at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, and wreaths were laid at sites commemorating heroes of the Battle of Warsaw. In Warsaw, traffic restrictions along Wisłostrada and connecting bridges, including the Skłodowska-Curie Bridge, the Grota-Rowecki Bridge, and the Poniatowski Bridge, were in effect from Friday at 16:00 until Saturday at 16:00, with parking bans on numerous streets in the city center.