Airbus reservists participate in Bastille Day

Paris, France, 8 July 2026 – A contingent of around one hundred reservists from Airbus and its joint ventures ArianeGroup and MBDA will participate for the first time in the Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.

Established 25 years ago, the Groupement des Réservistes des Entités de l'Aéronautique, de la Défense et du Spatial (GREADS - Association of Reservists from Aerospace, Defence and Space Entities) embodies the unwavering bond between the global aerospace leader and the French Armed Forces. This will be the first time that a contingent (or employees) from a private company has taken part in the Bastille Day parade.

GREADS brings together hundreds of Airbus, ArianeGroup, and MBDA employees, from technicians and manufacturing workers to senior managers. Alongside their day jobs, they serve the nation as reservists in the French Army, Navy, Air and Space Force, and National Gendarmerie.

They demonstrate the global aerospace leader’s commitment to national sovereignty, showcase its strong relationship with the French Armed Forces, and uphold the duty of remembrance during commemorations.

These men and women serve as a reminder that defence is a shared mission involving the armed forces, the defence industry and, more broadly, the entire nation. Driven by a collective commitment to defence, they embody the perfect blend between technological excellence and military dedication.

Together with its joint ventures MBDA and ArianeGroup, Airbus stands as one of the chief suppliers to French and European armed forces. The group equips France with transport and mission aircraft like the A400M, alongside the entire helicopter fleet used by the military and public safety agencies—including the Gendarmerie, Customs, and Sécurité Civile (the national civil protection and emergency management agency). A number of these aircraft will take part in the Paris flypast.

Airbus also supplies military satellites and drones, as well as digital and cybersecurity systems. MBDA supplies all missile systems for the French forces. Lastly, the Company contributes directly to the country's nuclear deterrence, as ArianeGroup produces the M51 ballistic missiles for the Strategic Ocean Force, MBDA supplies the ASMP-A airborne missiles and Airbus provides the MRTT refuelling aircraft for the Strategic Air Forces.

About Airbus

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

About ArianeGroup

ArianeGroup is an industrial company delivering critical missions for the space and defence sectors. With 8,700 highly qualified employees in France and Germany, ArianeGroup has unique expertise in access to space, covering the full spectrum of civil and military launch systems, including design, development, manufacturing, integration, flight preparation, operational readiness and end-of-life decommissioning. ArianeGroup is lead contractor for the Ariane 6 European launcher for the European Space Agency (ESA), and for the French oceanic deterrent force M51 strategic missile for the French Defence Armament Procurement Agency (DGA).

Internationally recognised for its innovative, competitive solutions, ArianeGroup has expertise in state-of-the-art technologies, from the chemistry of propellants and composite materials, to liquid, solid and electric space propulsion systems. ArianeGroup also offers a broad range of space, defence and industrial equipment and services, both individually and together with its subsidiaries Sodern, Pyroalliance, Nuclétudes and APP.

In the field of space launchers, ArianeGroup's subsidiary Arianespace markets and operates the Ariane 6 and Vega-C launchers developed for ESA, and its subsidiary MaiaSpace develops and markets the reusable launcher Maia.

ArianeGroup, equally owned by Airbus and Safran, posted consolidated revenues of €2.6 billion in 2025.

About MBDA

MBDA is a unique multi-national European group, a global leader in complex weapon systems, playing a key role in the protection of nations. Established in the spirit of international co-operation, MBDA and its 20,000+ employees work together to support the sovereignty of its nations, and allied countries worldwide. As an accelerator of innovation, MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and manufacturing complex weapons to meet all current and future operational requirements of all three of the armed forces (land, sea and air). MBDA is owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%).

For more information: www.mbda-systems.com