Exploring other notable military parades around the world

A grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany was held in Moscow under sunny skies on May 9.

Victory Day, first celebrated in 1945, remains one of the largest military parades globally and has been consistently observed, except for several years in the aftermath of the Soviet collapse and the 2020 pandemic. Many post-Soviet states also maintain similar commemorative traditions honouring their WWII contributions.

This year, US President Donald Trump proclaimed May 8 as Victory Day in the US, emphasizing the Allied forces' role in the 1945 triumph after he has previously expressed his desire to also stage a large military parade, rivalling that held in France every year during his first term. The following article explores several major military parades around the world that can rival Moscow's Red Square event in symbolism.

Azerbaijan

The military holds a central role in Azerbaijani statehood, reflected in the country's long-standing tradition of hosting military parades. Azerbaijan made a significant contribution to the Allied victory in World War II, sending 600,000 men and women to the front, more than half of whom perished. Annual parades and commemorations take place nationwide on May 9 to honour this legacy. 

Since the 2020 victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, which ended the decades-long illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the country also marks November 8 as Victory Day, paying tribute to its fallen soldiers. The military parade marking the third anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War held exceptional importance, as it was organized for the first time in the city of Khankandi in 2023.

This event followed Azerbaijan’s complete restoration of its territorial integrity earlier that year, achieved through the reestablishment of control over the Azerbaijan-Armenia border in the Lachin direction and the dissolution of the remaining illegal separatist entity that had persisted in the city since the 2020 war, making the occasion deeply symbolic of national unity and sovereignty. Additionally, Azerbaijan observes Armed Forces Day annually on June 26 to honour the founding of the Armed Forces of the modern Azerbaijani Republic, which dates back to 1918. 

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, like its Central Asian neighbours that fought in World War II as part of the Soviet Union, officially commemorates Victory Day on May 9 with a large-scale military parade. This year, the parade was held a day earlier, on May 8, to allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to participate in the landmark celebrations in Moscow. “The Great Patriotic War was an enormous challenge for all humanity, including Kazakhstan. Those dark times showed that war brings only sorrow and loss, while peace remains an irreplaceable treasure,” Tokayev said during his address to thousands of participants. “In our country, the Batyrlarğa tağzym [‘Tribute to Heroes’ in Kazakh] march will honour Kazakhstani soldiers who fought on the front lines. Their descendants will carry portraits of the wartime heroes through the streets,” he added. 

Ukraine 

Ukraine traditionally hosts a military parade on August 24 in Kyiv to mark Independence Day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. However, the event has been paused since 2022 due to the outbreak of war following Russia's invasion. The last full-scale parade took place on August 24, 2021, during the country’s 30th anniversary celebrations, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance. 

China 

China’s National Day military parade, the largest in Asia, commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Held once every decade, it celebrates jubilee milestones, with the most recent parade staged on October 1, 2019. That event featured roughly 15,000 military personnel, 580 pieces of equipment, and 160 aircraft, all showcased at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. International defence observers closely monitor the parade, as it serves as a platform for China to unveil cutting-edge military technology and weaponry. 

Iran 

Iran’s annual military parade marks the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted eight brutal years after breaking out in 1980, just one year after the Islamic Republic’s founding. The conflict had a lasting impact on the nation, shaping its political identity and exacerbating tensions with the United States, which supported Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. The parade launches Défence Week, a national commemoration, and includes participation from the Iranian Army, the IRGC, Police, Border Guards, and Basij forces. These parades typically showcase Iran’s latest advances in missiles, ground and air defence systems, and communications technology. 

France 

France’s Bastille Day parade is held annually on July 14 to honour the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, a pivotal event in the French Revolution that led to the end of absolute monarchy. The celebration begins with a formal military ceremony and is followed by a grand parade down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and an air show. The parade also marks the anniversary of the WWII Normandy landings, when Allied troops launched the operation that would ultimately liberate France. It remains the oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe, held nearly uninterrupted since 1880. 

Venezuela 

Venezuela commemorates its National Independence Day on July 5, marking the 1811 signing of its Declaration of Independence, which made it the first Spanish colony in South America to break free. The annual military and air parade in Caracas takes place along the “Paseo Los Proceres,” with aircraft flyovers by fighters, trainers, helicopters, and transport planes in tightly coordinated formations. Venezuela’s independence movement began on April 19, 1810, with the ousting of Spanish Captain General Vicente Emparan, followed by the formation of the Supreme Congress of the United Provinces of Venezuela in 1811. Military, police, and civic groups all take part in the commemorations. 

By Nazrin Sadigova