On 15 August 2025, Warsaw became the stage for an extraordinary spectacle. To mark the Polish Armed Forces Day, commemorating the victory in the Battle of Warsaw of 1920, a military parade of an unprecedented scale took place along the capital’s Wisłostrada. Thousands of residents and visitors gathered to witness soldiers from every branch of the Polish Armed Forces, alongside a vast array of modern military equipment showcased on the ground and in the skies.
Nearly 4,000 soldiers representing all branches of the armed forces marched through the streets, accompanied by around 300 pieces of equipment – from tanks and armoured personnel carriers, to air defence systems, support vehicles, and engineering platforms.
The highlight of the event was the aerial display, which stirred the greatest emotions among the crowd. Nearly 50 aircraft soared over Warsaw in striking formations, demonstrating both the strength of Poland’s Air Force and the solidarity of NATO allies. The spectacle clearly underlined that Poland possesses a modern air force and strong allied support.
The flypast began with helicopters and transport aircraft, followed by fighter jets performing dynamic manoeuvres. The audience witnessed both domestic designs and platforms delivered by international partners. Among them were the M28 Skytruck from Mielec, the venerable yet reliable TS-11 Iskra, and the Mi-2 from Świdnik. These were joined by the CASA C-295 and the formidable C-130 Hercules.
The greatest excitement, however, came with the appearance of fighters: the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the backbone of Poland’s air force for years, and the French Dassault Rafale, one of the world’s most advanced multirole fighters. Specialised platforms also took to the skies, including the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne command centre and the Airbus A330 MRTT, a tanker capable of refuelling aircraft in flight. Completing the display were helicopters – the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Caracal transport helicopters.
Photo: Rafał Samluk / DORSZ COM CAM
The 2025 parade was the largest in Poland’s history, integrating land, air, and naval elements. For many spectators, it was both a moving tribute to tradition and the heroism of soldiers, and a powerful signal of the Polish Armed Forces’ consistent modernisation. The atmosphere combined solemnity and pride with a sense of joy and celebration.
The sight of marching formations, the passage of tanks and rocket launchers, and finally the roar of jet engines gave participants a profound sense of unity – a community that honours its history while looking firmly to the future.
This article was prepared as part of the public task implemented under the Government Program for the Development of Civic Organisations 2018–2030: “Safe Poland of Tomorrow – Expanding the Mission of the Alioth Foundation.”
