Indonesia Invited To Appear At Bastille Day, Kadispenad: Trust, Honor And Diplomacy

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Military Academy, Magelang. (Source: Muchlis Jr/BPMI Setpres)

Head of the Indonesian Army Information Service, Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana, assessed that the invitation submitted to Indonesia to send his delegation to the military parade during the 2025 Bastille Day celebration in Paris, France next month, was an honor, trust and diplomacy that must be accounted for by giving the best performance.

Before the invitation from France, Indonesia successfully answered the invitation and honor of appearing on Republic Day at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, India on January 26. At that time, Indonesia sent 352 delegates, including Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta and defile troops.

In an interview with VOI.id Brigadier General TNI Wahyu explained that an invitation for Indonesia to send his delegation to Bastille Day began when French President Emmanuel Macron visited Indonesia on 27-29 May.

"During the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto invited him to the Military Academy, because there was an agenda (visit) to Borobudur Temple," explained Head of Dispenad Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana, Tuesday, June 24.

According to Brigadier General Wahyu, President Prabowo on several previous occasions also invited leaders of other countries visiting Indonesia to visit the Military Academy.

Kadispenad further explained, after a series of visits to the Military Academy, President Prabowo and President Macron took lunch with a group of the two countries and all cadets in the Military Academy dining room.

"On that occasion, President Prabowo in his speech conveyed that Indonesia was invited by President Macron to fill one of the series of activities on Bastille Day July 14," said Kadispenad, who was also present on the occasion accompanying the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak.

"This is an honor for all of us," Brigadier General Wahyu emphasized.

"President Prabowo also conveyed that in front of President Macron, in addition to Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, elements from the Indonesian National Police will also be involved," he added.

For this activity, Indonesian representatives for the parade consisted of soldiers from the Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force. Meanwhile, the accompanying drumband consists of Military Academy Cadets, Air Force Academy, Navy Academy and Indonesian Police Academy.

The total number of Indonesian delegates consists of 495 people, including crew and supporters. The total number of defile parade personnel consists of 262 people, with 88 of whom are from the Indonesian Army.

Meanwhile, the number of integrated drumband personnel will consist of 100 cadets from the Military Academy, 37 cadets from the Naval Academy, 37 cadets from the Air Force Academy and 15 cadets from the Police Academy.

The TNI moved quickly by entrusting the Army Headquarters Training Staff to coordinate the preparation and training of the Indonesian delegation. In addition to physical abilities, knowledge (language) and Line Line Regulation (PBB), a good mentality is a selection requirement for TNI AD personnel who are selected in this delegation. This opportunity is open to all TNI soldiers.

"The Indonesian Army, especially in an activity that brings the name of the nation and state, we give opportunities to all soldiers from all regions of the country," explained Kadispenad.

"Good mentality has many implications. If we are mentally strong, any training can be passed properly," he explained regarding the mental emphasis of the delegation personnel.

"Bastille Day is a French National Day, not just anyone can perform at such a large event," he continued.

Kadispenad revealed that after a state visit to Singapore and Russia, President Prabowo Subianto reviewed the training of the Indonesian delegation at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base some time ago.

"The President emphasized that this invitation was an honor, the trust given by President Macron in particular, and the French Republic in general, to the Indonesian nation, in this case the TNI and Polri," said Kadispenad.

"Prepare well, the trust given by France must be answered with the best performance," said President Prabowo, according to the Head of Dispenad.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, in a briefing reminded the importance of the best preparation for the best results, because it brought the good name of the Indonesian nation and especially the Indonesian Army," said Kadispenad.

As part of the training and preparation, all Indonesian delegates will also adjust the terrain, weather, and UN rhythm which will be used in the defile.

The plan is for the Indonesian delegation to be led by the Paban II/Minlat Slatad Colonel Inf. Daru Cahyadi as the Commander of the Contingent, as well as the Army Staff of the Army Pabandya Lt. Col. Inf Eka Wira Dharmawan as Deputy Commander of the Contingent.

Kadispenad believes that the success of the Indonesian Delegation in India will not burden the delegation who will leave for France.

"I am not directly involved in activities in India. But I believe, there is no burden for soldiers, what exists is pride, motivation and it makes the soldiers even more excited," said Kadispenad.

"The pride, honor makes our morale high. I believe later in France, God willing, we can show our best, with the best preparation and experience in India," he said.

Brigadier General Wahyu said the trust and honor for the appearance of the Indonesian delegation at the Bastille Day in France as part of the diplomacy of many types, including joint exercises, exchange of officers, to UN missions.

"For me, this is part of diplomacy. Sending contingents on the big day of other countries or the invitations given by certain countries so that we participate in events in their place, is a form of successful military diplomacy that we have carried out so far," he explained.

"Military diplomacy is one of the things that supports diplomacy in general for our nation, so that we can have a lot of relationships, friends, friends, said President Prabowo, "There are too few friends, too many enemies," continued Kadispenad.

"This further emphasizes to the world that we are non-blocks, not taking sides with one particular alliance, we are friends with all nations," he underlined.

He added that there are many benefits that can be drawn from Indonesia's participation in the upcoming Bastille Day, not merely showing the capabilities of the armed forces, but many strategic things.

"This respect and trust must be accounted for with the best performance," said Brigadier General Wahyu.

"So that the trust given because of the respect of other nations for the Indonesian nation can really be proven. So that in the future Indonesia will be increasingly valued, as a big country and can stand equally upright with others," concluded Kadispenad.

The plan is for the Indonesian delegation to leave for France on July 7 to make adjustments and adaptations, while the Bastille Day will be held on July 14.

It is known, the Bastille Day or La F greatte Nationale is the National Day of the Republic of France which is held every year. This refers to the invasion of Bastille on July 14, 1789 which was assessed at the beginning of the French Revolution.

The military parade is part of a series of celebrations of Bastille Day. The parade began to be held in 1880, making it one of the world's oldest military parades through the Avenue des Champs- greatlysles of Place Charles de Gaulle, which centers around Arc de Triomphe, to the Place de la Concorde.