Ceuta troops absent as Spain holds National Day parade in Madrid
Spain’s National Day parade highlights Ceuta’s strategic importance
Poinews.com – Spain’s National Day celebrations in Madrid unfolded this year without troops from Ceuta, even as the autonomous city remained strongly present in the political and military context surrounding the event. Forces normally associated with the North African territory did not join the parade on Paseo del Prado because the Ministry of Defence has kept them deployed in Ceuta following the migration crisis that began in July.
That decision underlined the continuing operational demands faced by the Spanish military in Ceuta, where tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco during the crisis. Rather than sending personnel to the capital for the ceremonial display, defence authorities retained forces in the territory, reflecting the priority given to security and readiness there.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia presided over the National Day ceremony in Madrid. Their itinerary will soon bring them closer to the territory at the centre of this year’s military absence: the royal couple are scheduled to visit Ceuta on Tuesday.
A parade shaped by politics and security
The military display took place during a particularly charged political period for Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attended the ceremony after calling an early general election for 29 November, with parliament already dissolved. His arrival drew jeers from some people gathered along the streets for the parade.
National Day events are traditionally a public occasion for institutions, the armed forces and the monarchy to appear together. This year, however, the atmosphere also reflected a country heading rapidly toward an election campaign, while military attention remained focused on events beyond mainland Spain.
Ceuta’s absence from the marching formations did not mean the city had been sidelined. Instead, it showed how a territory can become more visible precisely because its personnel are needed elsewhere. The July crisis placed Ceuta at the forefront of debates about border management, migration and Spain’s security responsibilities in its autonomous cities on the North African coast.
Air power and new equipment on display
Under clear skies in Madrid, 82 aircraft participated in the aerial programme. Two F/A-18 fighter jets led the display, followed by the wider formation assembled for the occasion. The flypast offered one of the day’s most prominent demonstrations of Spanish military capability above the capital.
On the ground, attention turned to newer equipment entering public view. The army’s 8x8 Dragón armoured vehicles appeared in the National Day parade for the first time, giving spectators an early look at a platform intended to play an important role in Spain’s land forces.
The event also featured Marine Corps vehicles fitted with the Aracne anti-drone system. Their debut, alongside two Asturcón drones operated by the Military Emergencies Unit, pointed to the growing importance of unmanned systems and protection against them. The inclusion of those assets suggested that defence planning is increasingly taking account of technologies that can affect operations, security and emergency response.
Military parades are ceremonial by nature, but the choice of vehicles and aircraft can also reveal practical priorities. This year’s display placed established air power beside armoured mobility, counter-drone capability and unmanned platforms. Together, those elements offered a snapshot of the areas receiving attention within the Ministry of Defence.
Thousands take part in Madrid ceremony
A total of 4,380 participants marched or took part in the parade: 3,850 men and 530 women. Their involvement covered the central ceremonial element of a day that combines military presentation with state protocol.
The absence of Ceuta-based troops stood out against those overall numbers. In another year, their participation might have been one component of a large national formation. This time, the decision to keep them at their posts gave the event an additional reminder that armed forces must balance public ceremony with ongoing duties.
For residents and observers in Ceuta, the scheduled royal visit on Tuesday will carry particular significance after the city’s troops remained on duty during the Madrid celebration. The visit will follow an event in which Ceuta’s circumstances influenced the national programme despite no soldiers from the territory marching in the capital.
National Day concludes at the Royal Palace
Following the parade, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia hosted a reception at the Royal Palace, bringing the official National Day programme to a close. The reception marked the final stage of a celebration that combined traditional ceremonial elements with a conspicuous focus on present-day security pressures.
Madrid’s parade therefore served as more than a display of military hardware and personnel. It took place amid an impending election, featured emerging defence technology and drew attention to Ceuta’s continuing role in Spain’s security landscape. Although its soldiers were not on Paseo del Prado, the territory remained one of the defining references of the day.
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