By Riffat Kausar
Snn News Finland
Poland Military Parade Marks 106th Anniversary of Battle of Warsaw
Poland staged its largest military parade in post-war history on Saturday, August 15, as troops, tanks and fighter jets moved through Warsaw to mark Armed Forces Day and the 106th anniversary of the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, according to Poland’s Ministry of National Defence.
About 1,800 soldiers from across the armed forces took part in the march along Wisลostrada, the ministry said.
Allied troops joined the procession, with officials citing participation from the United States, Canada, France, Romania, Lithuania and Estonia, among other NATO members.
Tanks, Missile Systems Highlight Poland Military Parade Hardware
More than 300 pieces of military equipment rolled through the capital. These included Abrams, K2 and Leopard 2 main battle tanks, Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, Rosomak armored transporters, and Krab self-propelled howitzers, according to the defence ministry.
HIMARS rocket launchers, Patriot air defense systems, Rak mortars and Poprad short-range air defense units were also displayed, reflecting Poland’s ongoing military modernization drive, which officials have linked to concerns over the war in neighboring Ukraine and Poland’s proximity to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus.
F-35 “Husarz” Jets Draw Crowds in Warsaw Skies
More than 60 aircraft flew over Warsaw during the display. The Polish Air Force’s new F-35 jets, nicknamed “Husarz,” made a widely anticipated appearance, having entered domestic service in June at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in ลask, according to earlier reporting from Euronews.
The F-35s flew alongside Polish F-16 “Jastrzฤbie” fighters, FA-50 light combat aircraft, and Apache, Black Hawk and AW149 helicopters. French Rafale and Swedish Gripen jets from allied air forces also took part, organizers said.
Key Facts
- Parade held Saturday, August 15, 2026, on Poland’s Armed Forces Day, marking 106 years since the Battle of Warsaw (1920).
- About 1,800 troops and more than 300 vehicles took part in Warsaw; a separate naval parade with 20-plus ships was held in Gdynia.
- Poland’s F-35 “Husarz” jets, in service since June 2026, made a high-profile appearance alongside F-16s, FA-50s and Apache and Black Hawk helicopters.
- Allied troops and aircraft, including from the US, Canada, France, Romania, Lithuania and Estonia, joined the events.
- The parade coincides with Poland’s push to expand defense spending, backed partly by โฌ43.7 billion in EU SAFE program financing.
- Military Parade
FAQs:
What was Poland’s military parade celebrating?
It marked Armed Forces Day and the 106th anniversary of the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, a decisive victory against Soviet forces.
Where did the parade take place?
The main parade was in Warsaw, on the Wisลostrada road, with a simultaneous naval parade in Gdynia.
Did the F-35 jets fly for the first time in Poland?
No โ Military Parade F-35s entered service and flew a public flypast in June 2026; Saturday marked their appearance in the Armed Forces Day parade specifically.
How many troops and vehicles took part?
Roughly 1,800 soldiers and more than 300 vehicles, according to the Ministry of National Defence.
Which allied countries joined the parade?
Officials cited troops or aircraft from the United States, Canada, France, Romania, Lithuania and Estonia, among others.
Naval Parade in Gdynia Complements Warsaw Events
Poland held a simultaneous naval parade in the Baltic port city of Gdynia, where more than 20 vessels from the Polish Navy and allied fleets sailed in formation, according to event organizers.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk opened the Gdynia event, while President Karol Nawrocki presided over the Warsaw parade as Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
Tusk said Poland’s military buildup was intended to strengthen deterrence, telling attendees that “only those who are strong” would avoid war, according to comments reported by Kyiv Post.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wลadysลaw Kosiniak-Kamysz also attended both events.
The displays come as Poland works to convert a โฌ43.7 billion allocation from the European Union’s SAFE defense financing program into Military Parade contracts, according to defense industry outlet Adria Defense.
my-europe/2026/06/12/hussarz-roar-over-poland-as-first-f-35s-officially-enter-service
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