Their Majesties the Kings preside over the celebration of the Day of the Armed Forces 2023 in Granada

Tribute to those who gave their lives for Spain

Granada hosted the traditional Day of the Armed Forces (DIFAS) parade, celebrated on June 3rd, with the participation of more than 3,000 soldiers.

Surrounded by numerous audiences of all ages, Their Majesties the Kings of Spain, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia, arrived at the Albert Einstein Square in Granada at 12.00 a.m. to preside over the military parade. There, they were accompanied by various civilian and military authorities, including the Minister of Defence Margarita Robles, and the Chief of Staff of the Army Amador Enseñat y Berea.

With a completely clear sky, one of the highlights of the day was the parachute jump with the national Flag, carried by Corporal Mª del Carmen Gómez, the first woman to perform this event on a Day of the Armed Forces.

Especially touching was the act of homage to those who gave their lives for Spain, when the names of the soldiers who died in the last year, belonging to the three Armies, were pronounced. King Philip VI was commissioned to lay a laurel wreath, symbolizing eternal recognition of those who sacrificed everything for their country.

59 airplanes and 27 helicopters participated in the air parade, coming from bases throughout Spain. These included aircrafts of all types, from Eurofighter, F-18 or Harrier fighters, to heavy transport aircrafts, to maneuvering, transport or attack helicopters.

After them, the land parade began, led by members of the 10th "Guzmán el Bueno" Brigade and which included a representation of different military units and the Civil Guard, as well as 150 vehicles and mobile units, along with various equipment. As usual, the Legion, with their "160 steps per minute and one heart," the Regular Groups and the Cavalry units closed the parade, finally culminating the military act with the lowering of the Spanish Flag.