The inspection took place at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Tuesday, prior to the President’s departure for an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
Upon his arrival at the air base, Prabowo went directly to observe the training of the TNI marching contingent, which featured a military band consisting of personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The contingent was led by soldiers carrying the flags of Indonesia and France in the front row.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoedin, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, accompanied the head of state during the inspection.
French President Emmanuel Macron had invited Prabowo to attend the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as a guest of honor during a recent visit to Indonesia.
“I have received a personal invitation from him (Macron) to attend as an honorary guest a national day of France called Bastille Day, commemorated every July 14—a date linked to the French Revolution that marked the beginning of the modern French Republic,” Prabowo informed.
At a joint press conference with Macron at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on May 28, he said that the French President also invited Indonesia to send a contingent to march in the parade.
The Indonesian leader expressed gratitude for the invitation and said he was eager to attend the celebration.
He then instructed Defense Minister Sjamsoedin to prepare the best military contingent to represent Indonesia at the event.
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Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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