Spain holds National Day military parade in Madrid

Spain celebrated its National Day with a military parade in Madrid, showcasing the capabilities of the Spanish Armed Forces and state security forces. The event, presided over by the King and Queen, featured approximately 4,400 personnel, including 530 women, alongside 144 vehicles, 39 motorcycles, and 286 horses.

A significant highlight of this year's parade was the debut of the VCR 8x8 Dragón armored vehicle. Produced by a consortium including Tess Defence and GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, the Dragón is intended to progressively replace older platforms such as the BMR and VEC. The Ministry of Defense has recently reached a milestone of 100 units delivered, with a total contract goal of 348 units by the end of 2028.

The commemorations also emphasized Spain's international defense role. Defense Minister Margarita Robles connected via videoconference with approximately 3,000 Spanish military personnel currently deployed on missions for NATO, the European Union, and the United Nations across four continents.