We decided to compare army marches in different countries world and find out where military equipment and modern weapons are still shown, and where parades have long turned into theatrical shows. Since armies appeared in the history of mankind, parades have also appeared. Most often, processions of military units were carried out by the winners. Who and how prints the step for marches today? How common are screenings in the world? military equipment during military processions and how does Russian experience in this area look against the background of the world? In an exclusive interview for the website of the Zvezda TV channel, military expert Mikhail Timoshenko compared military parades around the world. “A parade should show the military power of the state, and I would say that if not ambitions, then claims to this power, that’s why we have parades in Russia continuous formation and printed pitch, so we also show the technique. Who opens our parade are Suvorov students, this is the education of warriors from a young age,” the expert noted. He also especially emphasized that the printed step of parade boxes in Russia has German roots and differs significantly from the way they march in other countries. “When they write about our parade in the West, they often say that they march at a Prussian step. Yes, this is a step with a high extension of the leg and placing it on the sole. The British do not take such a step at all, they have such a mincing and strolling step, it was inherited by the Americans. “North Korea demonstrates ostentatious ferocity at parades, and there the leg is carried out, perhaps, higher than our guys from the honor guard company,” said Tymoshenko. According to the expert, most European military parades are a kind of costume shows, which sometimes take place even in in the form of a military band festival. “More or less, the Russian parade is reminiscent of the French procession on the Champs Elysees. But it is still very similar to a theatrical performance. So, their sappers come with axes, as they used to do, they were supposed to use these axes to knock down the gates of the fortresses,” said the military expert. Tymoshenko noted that the demonstration of military equipment at Western parades is not as common as in the USSR, and now in Russia. “Our first serious parade in equipment was the Victory Parade of 1945, then there was military equipment. It is a tradition to demonstrate military vehicles, we show a lot. Since Soviet times, we have especially loved to show rocket technology, but in the West they don’t show this,” the expert continued. According to him, there is a version that the Americans do not show their heavy equipment at parades in the United States, so as not to make the average person think that the army will have to fight on its territory. One way or another, Tymoshenko sums up, Russia and the United States have different ideologies. Overseas they prefer to hold gay parades rather than army parades, but in our country military parades show that there are people in the state who are ready to defend their country in any conditions. Photo: Grigory Sysoev/RIA Novosti
France
Beautiful paramilitary action and impressive columns of equipment - on July 14, immediately after the evening of balls, Paris pours out to the Champs Elysees to look at the orderly rows of soldiers and tanks passing along Place de Gaulle past the Arc de Triomphe. The spectacle is beautiful and attractive also because it includes a very magnificent mechanized part: Leclerc tanks (still the most expensive in the world, costing 10 million euros), 550-horsepower VBCI infantry fighting vehicles from Renault Trucks, four-ton Panhard armored vehicles in several modifications, unmanned vehicles and excavators on cargo platforms, police scooters in the amount of about a million pieces, and so on. In many ways, our and French parades are similar, especially recently, when the recognizable composition of the columns begins to be diluted by the latest technology. In general, it’s a spectacle to watch. It’s a shame that we in Russia remember this day only in the evening...
People's Republic of China
Date: October 1, Founding Day of the People's Republic of China; September 3, Victory Day in World War II
It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the parade in Beijing is primarily captivating with its many thousands of people on foot rather than with the hum of technology. However, technology, to put it mildly, can captivate. It all starts with a tour of the columns, in which the Chairman of the Republic Xi Jinping and the polished Hongqi CA7600J - a pompous analogue of our ceremonial ZIL-41041 with a large hatch and microphones in the roof - take part.
Well, then the rustle of the V12 gives way to the roar of PLA combat vehicles. Last year the latest technology placed at the head of the columns. The Type 99 tanks (the Chinese analogue of the Russian Armata) began a long chain of dozens of infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers, as well as armored cars of the police and security forces based on Mengshi light vehicles, which was completed by pot-bellied missile systems (guess whose production) and aircraft. Event? What else!
North Korea
Kim Il Sung Square on the day of the parade is the area with maximum concentration of attention. Interest in the technology of a power that flirts with the world with hints about nuclear weapons (“our latest weapons will cope with any war from the United States”) is consistently high. We, the incorrigibles, are interested in something a little different: not the missiles themselves and their warheads, but what all these Hwasongs are carrying.
Or they meet. Look at the ceremonial Mercedes Pullman or the old “Kozlik” GAZ-69, which last year carried the banner and pulled behind it a tank formation of Soviet “thirty-fours”. But seriously, Korea naturally has something to show both us and the world. For example... no, not KrAZ and ZIL-130 cargo trucks with MQM-107 drones in the rear, or military "Gelendevagen" from Steyr - we are talking about new weapons. About KN-08, for example. This sixteen-wheeled hulk carries an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of up to five thousand kilometers, which sets off the ranks of Soviet and Russian technology, and at the same time seriously teases the Pentagon. Not bad as a ceremonial dessert.
Iran
From the point of view of the atmosphere of the event, the wheeled part of the military parade in the Iranian Republic is much more like a truck rally - and here the trucks pulling all these cool and dangerous things past the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini are more likely to blame. A white truck with inscriptions in Persian passed by, looking like a giant Toblerone briquette. And here’s another one - dragging either a compact submarine or a disassembled Yak-30 on a platform. Are you going far, guys? Ah-ah-ah... So he’s serious - the new S-300 complexes, freshly provided by Russia, follow behind the incomprehensible things, hinting that now everything should be clear. We understand. We understand everything. Only... grenade launchers on ATVs and buggies only seem like a picture from Mad Max to us?
India
The parade in India is a significant event. Every year, guests from abroad fly in to admire Indian technology and performance (for example, Mr. Obama, who nervously chewed gum all the way last year). And there are several reasons for this, not the least of which is the special flavor of the event. The bright uniforms and colors of the troops, contrasting flags and pedestals with figures of deities (yes, this is India) are shrouded in a special haze of New Delhi.
It’s quite stupid to go to the heart of India to admire wheeled vehicles - motorcyclists reign here. The same applies to military parades: two-wheelers on the march perform acrobatic figures (how do you like push-ups on the bar held by motorcyclists to the left and right?), decorating and painting the way for Arjun tanks and Russian T-90s (meet Mr. Obama!) .
In general, Indian parade columns are colorful even when there is a shortage of cars. However, are we saying this?
Mexico
Imagine a crowd of T-shirt-clad spectators hanging over the barriers along the narrow street, honking football horns. This is Mexico City and the Independence Day Parade. The ceremonial squads march in the choir, marching past thousands of city residents, followed by the rush of equipment. Gray HUMVEEs and HMMWVs of the naval forces are loaded with machine guns and armor plates, and the Steyr-Daimlers behind it (the familiar G-Class in a short version with an open back) look like unprotected insects with a pair of camouflaged warriors in the back. However, this is how it is - the real military equipment of Mexico is a little different. It is taller, more powerful and more reliable than Mercedes Steyrs. We are talking about light tanks M3 and M8, as well as Milan anti-tank systems. Not too many, but the country has a different enemy: international drug cartels, which traditionally prefer to stay in the shadows rather than rush into the attack. To fight this invisible enemy, the republic's authorities are partly relying on aviation and military helicopters. So the Mexican parade is more in the sky than on the ground.
A military parade was held in Moscow today in honor of the 71st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. About 10 thousand people, 136 pieces of equipment and 71 aircraft took part in it. HERE, in what other modern countries do magnificent military parades take place?
Russia
A military parade in Moscow takes place every year on May 9 on the occasion of Victory Day. For more than 20 years on this day, planes have been flying over the city to disperse the clouds (sometimes unsuccessfully). In 2016, they were going to spend 86 million rubles. In other countries, it is not customary to disperse clouds.
Spain
The military parade in Spain traditionally takes place on October 12, the Day of Columbus's Discovery of America - now it is a National Holiday of Spain. Last year in Madrid there were 3,400 troops, 48 vehicles and 53 aircraft in the parade. The parade was hosted by King Felipe of Spain, who was accompanied by Queen Letizia and daughters Leonor and Sofia.
China
Russia can be compared to China in terms of the scale of military parades, where every September they celebrate the end of World War II and the victory over Japan. On September 3, 2015, 12 thousand people took part in the parade.
United Kingdom
One of the victorious countries of World War II does not hold military parades on Victory Day on May 8-9. The British remember those who died in the world wars on November 11, Armistice Day.
In Scotland, military parades are held on Independence Day, which takes place on June 24th. As you can see, military equipment does not participate in parades.
France
France also does not hold parades on Victory Day - for the French, the day of the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944 is more significant. But on Bastille Day, every July 14th, parades are held on the Champs-Élysées.
Czech Republic
In countries Eastern Europe Victory Day is celebrated more widely than in the West. In the Czech Republic, for example, on May 8, military parades and displays of modern and historical military equipment are held.
Serbia
Victory Day is widely celebrated in Serbia, but the first military parade in the country in 29 years was held on October 16, 2014, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade from the Nazis.
Romania
Israel
In Israel, Victory Day began to be celebrated in 1995, but large celebrations are not held. Military parades are held on Jerusalem Day - a holiday proclaimed in honor of the reunification of the city after the six-day war of 1967.
Greece
In Greece, parades are held on Independence Day, which takes place on March 25th. On this day in 1821, the Greeks began a war against Ottoman Empire. Tanks and helicopters take part in the parade. Soldiers are performing a ceremonial changing of the guard, take a closer look.
North Korea
In North Korea, the founding day of the Democratic Republic of Korea is widely celebrated: every September 9, parades are held in Pyongyang with dancing military personnel and military equipment.
South Korea
The DPRK's neighbor does not stand aside and also organizes military parades (Pyongyang condemns them). The largest parade was held on October 1, 2013 on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the South Korean armed forces.
Mexico
The Mexican military holds parades in honor of the country's Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16. They involve decorated military vehicles, combat vehicles and aircraft.
India
In India, parades are traditionally held on Republic Day - it is celebrated on January 26 in honor of the adoption of the country's Constitution. Since this is India, men dance with women in parades.
On public holidays, military parades are held in many countries around the world. Initially being a way to demonstrate the combat power of the army, they have already lost this function in many places, turning into colorful performances. In some states, military marches, on the contrary, remained the main way to intimidate opponents. How parades take place in different parts of the world - in the Lenty.ru video gallery.
Some of the most vibrant and colorful military parades are held in Chile. Their distinctive feature is appearance the participating military personnel, whose dress uniform has remained unchanged since the modernization of the armed forces in the 19th century. The Chileans adopted its style from the Prussian army, which was brought in to train the local military. And although many states relied on the Prussian army to modernize their armed forces, now few places use similar antique uniforms. One of the most memorable elements in the attire of the Chilean military is the pickelhelm - a helmet decorated with a lance, on which a plume can in turn be mounted.
Another attribute that the Chilean and many other foreign militaries borrowed from the Prussian army was the so-called printed step: when marching, parade participants vigorously raise their straight leg, then step on the entire foot. The height of the lift and the speed of the step can vary; sometimes military personnel have to raise their legs to waist level. It was precisely this step, borrowed from the Germans, that the Italian military demonstrated in 1938 during Adolf Hitler’s visit to the country.
Despite the fact that one of the main purposes of the parade is to demonstrate the military power of the state, in many cases these processions are more reminiscent of spectacular costume performances. This is exactly how, for example, parades in Great Britain are perceived, taking place with the participation of guards dressed in bright red uniforms and musicians playing bagpipes in tartan skirts.
The Norwegian military also regularly puts on a real show. Since 1996, demonstration performances, called tattoo or taptu, have been held indoors, which brings them even closer to the concert format. The overall feeling of an entertaining performance is enhanced by some of its elements, which are more likely associated not with military exercises, but with a demonstration of circus dexterity. However, this kind of performance is not only held in Norway.
Sometimes official parades can look a little comical. For example, for an observer not familiar with local traditions, this is exactly what the procession of soldiers of the Spanish Legion, an elite unit of the ground forces, may seem like. According to the parade routine, soldiers must take 180 short steps per minute. Considering that the Spanish army does not use a printed step, it appears that the special forces are not marching, but participating in a race walking competition. Well, it may seem completely ridiculous for a goat to appear at a parade with a cap on its head. However, Spaniards often look forward to it most of all - the legion’s mascot is universally loved. In former times, its place was taken by monkeys, rams, parrots and even bears.
The parades in China, the homeland of the largest army in the world - its personnel number more than two million people - look much more solemn and serious. The military procession dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which took place on October 1, 2009, was attended by 10 thousand military personnel. By comparison, Europe's largest regular parade, held in France on Bastille Day, typically attracts approximately seven thousand people. And during the procession dedicated to the Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary) of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, which took place on May 19, 2012, “only” about 2.5 thousand military personnel marched past Windsor Castle.
Participants in North Korean parades look even more militant. Being in constant conflict with South Korea and the United States, Pyongyang is trying its best to prove that its army will stop at nothing and will crush its opponents into dust in the event of war. Probably to enhance this effect during processions, the North Korean military uses an exaggeratedly energetic printed step, due to which they actually jump with each swing of their legs. By the way, despite the fact that the North Korean army is half the size of the Chinese one, in 2010 the DPRK managed to organize a parade in which 20 thousand people took part.
In terms of exaggeration, the North Koreans can compete with military personnel from India and Pakistan, who patrol the only checkpoint on the border of the two countries in locality Wagah. Every evening at the checkpoint there is a ceremony of closing the gates, the participants of which, as it may seem, are ready to tear each other apart. The sharpness and even fury with which they move is brought to the limit - from approaching the goal, which they almost run, to incredible swings of their legs almost above their heads. However, in reality, the border guards most likely do not experience any hatred: following the old ritual, they are just trying to outdo each other. It is believed that it began with the border guards’ attempt to prove to the other side that they were better and more beautiful marchers. The ceremony ends with a handshake.
Not all countries can afford large-scale parades. For example, the authorities of Kenya, which is closer to the end of the list in terms of the level of well-being of the population, could not display military equipment for 25 years. This first happened in 2010, when the country celebrated the adoption of a new constitution.
Qatar, which ranks first in the world in terms of GDP per capita, on the contrary, can demonstrate the most modern technology. In addition to personnel, combat aircraft, helicopters and boats participate in the annual reviews, which are held on December 18 - Independence Day.
In general, the manner of holding parades sufficiently reflects the ambitions of states and the peoples inhabiting them on the world stage. And if you cannot boast of successes on the battlefield, then all that remains is to pull up your toes and lift your legs higher.
Traditionally, a parade is the solemn passage of various social movements or political parties. However, the parade can also take place in honor of significant dates in the history of the state.
The grand procession fascinates with its spectacle - tens of thousands of people take to the streets of the city, military personnel march in full dress uniform, and modern military equipment of the ground, sea and air forces is demonstrated. We have prepared for you a list of the largest military parades in the world.
Queen's Birthday Parade in England
This state of the United Kingdom adheres to strict traditions in holding military parades. The national celebration is held in honor of the Birthday of the Queen of Great Britain - April 21. The monarch, surrounded by family members, rides in an ancient luxury car and greets her subjects. The 90th anniversary of the British Queen in 2016 aroused unprecedented interest from local residents and tourists - for the first time, the entire royal family came out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the birthday of Elizabeth II.Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II
The 1,600-strong Royal Guard marches in national military uniform- red uniforms and tall black fur hats. 1,300 Horse Guards also take part in the parade. In honor of the 90th anniversary of Elizabeth II, more than 5,000 military personnel marched through the streets of the city. The ceremonial column is accompanied by the Royal Orchestra, which plays the national anthem of the state.
Parade in honor of the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China
The main difference between military parades in China is that they are held once every 10 years. The reason for the celebration is the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China - October 1. Only once was the parade held “out of turn” and was timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of victory in the Second World War. The procession did not take place on May 9, but on September 3, 2015, since preparations for the celebration took longer than planned.Military parade in China in honor of the 70th anniversary of victory in World War II
During the parade, hundreds of factories stopped production so that workers could see the ceremonial procession, in which more than 10 thousand military personnel took part and about 1,000 units of ground and air equipment were demonstrated. The most memorable event of the parade in honor of the seventieth anniversary of the victory was the procession of girls in military uniforms of the land, sea and air forces. In addition, troops from 16 countries took part in the parade, including Russia.
Two official parades in North Korea
There are two official parades in this state - September 9 in honor of the Day of the DPRK and April 15 in honor of the birthday of the country's first president Kim Il Sung, grandfather of the current head of state Kim Jong-un. Despite the fact that the population of North Korea is much smaller than in China, the parades are in no way inferior in their pomp.Procession in North Korea in honor of the country's first president
The solemn procession is attended by sea, air and ground forces. Total number of all military personnel at the parade is more than 15 thousand people. As in China, a women's battalion is participating in the procession. The celebration becomes even more luxurious when fireworks light up in the sky and local residents release thousands of balloons.
Indian Republic Day Parade
Indian Republic Day, January 26, is celebrated with a military parade. The procession is attended by military personnel and civilians totaling about 18 thousand people. In the capital of India - New Delhi - each state is even allowed to build festive floats that will travel along the main street of the city on the day of the parade. Here you will see riders on elephants and camels, decorated with colorful harnesses; the image of the riders is complemented by colored headdresses.Indian Republic Day Celebration
The parade ends 2 weeks later with the All Clear ceremony. This event in the celebration of the Day of the Indian Republic looks especially picturesque and attracts up to 10 thousand spectators: the presidential guard, dressed in uniforms that were military uniforms 200 years ago, passes in a ceremonial column.
Parade in honor of the storming of the Bastille in France
Every year on July 14 in France, Bastille Day is celebrated with a large military parade, in which foot troops, cavalry, navy, gendarmes and even firefighters take part. Military equipment passes along the main street of the city, and about 25 thousand military personnel march. The first celebration took place in 1789, when the residents of Paris stormed the Bastille, a fortress built to imprison state criminals. This event marked the beginning of the Great French Revolution, which lasted until November 9, 1799.Parade in honor of the storming of the Bastille in France
The day before the start of the military parade, balls are held in French residences, thus Parisians honor the traditions of celebrating the victory adopted in the 18th and 19th centuries. The next day, July 14, the procession begins from the Champs-Elysees at 10 am. The ceremonial military parade is opened by the President of France.
The largest military parade in the world
The largest parade in the world in terms of the number of military equipment demonstrated and the number of participants is considered to be the May 9 procession in honor of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War in the Russian capital, Moscow. The festive procession begins with a welcoming speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Every year, more than 110 thousand people, more than 100 units of ground equipment and more than 70 aircraft take part in the parade. The number of parade participants in Russia far exceeds their number in other countries, since veterans of the Great Patriotic War take part in the procession. Patriotic War and the public movement "Immortal Regiment".Parade on Red Square in honor of the Great Victory
In 2017, for the first time, it was decided to include a procession of the military-patriotic movement “Youth Army”, as well as demonstrate combat vehicles created for combat in natural conditions Far North. The editors of the site invite you to find out what the best weapons in the world are.
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