Madrid’s 12 October display lists 81 aircraft and helicopters, while independent reports count 82 or 83. The formations remain dependent on visibility, wind and cloud cover.
At around 11:00 on 12 October 2026, aircraft will cross Madrid’s central axis above the route between Neptuno and Colón. The programme combines fighter jets with transport aircraft and helicopters assigned to emergency services.
La Formación Mirlo, ejecutada por seis Pilatus PC-21, sustituye a la Patrulla Águila tras la retirada de los C-101, que estuvieron en servicio durante unas cuatro décadas.
Weather is the practical constraint that could disrupt the plan. Poor visibility may force changes, while wind or cloud cover could cancel the flypast. Infodefensa and statements linked to the organisers say the flight depends on suitable meteorological conditions. Rain prevented the planned aircraft from flying in 2025.
Six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft from the Academia General del Aire y del Espacio will open the aerial sequence with the Formación Mirlo. Their smoke trails will draw the colours of the Spanish flag. The formation is returning for a second consecutive year after replacing the former Patrulla Águila display.
La ceremonia completa prevé unos 4.380 militares, 144 vehículos y 39 motocicletas. El recorrido terrestre parte de la zona del Paseo del Prado, junto al Jardín Botánico, pasa por Cibeles y concluye en la plaza de Colón; la tribuna real se instala junto a Neptuno.
A mixed formation will put an A330 MRTT tanker beside an F-18 and a Eurofighter. Two A400M aircraft from Ala 31 will appear later, followed by an Airbus A310. Two Falcon 900s and a Cessna Citation V are also scheduled. Three Canadair CL-215T/415 aircraft from the 43 Grupo will represent Spain’s aerial firefighting service.
The display gives transport and refuelling aircraft a place alongside combat jets. Government aircraft are included as well. The firefighting service adds another operational role to the passage.
CN-235 and C-295 aircraft will join other military training and transport assets. The Guardia Civil will contribute a CN-235 and a Beechcraft B350. Artículo14 and Infodefensa have described the overall fleet as 82 to 83 aircraft, depending on the counting method, rather than the 81 stated in the programme’s breakdown of 49 aircraft and 32 helicopters.
Independent reports have also described the count as 35 fighter or training aircraft, 16 transport aircraft and 32 helicopters, producing a total of 83. Other reports rounded the figure to 82. The official programme remains the source for the 81-aircraft figure.
The helicopter section contains 32 aircraft. The list includes NH90, H135 and CH-47F Chinook helicopters, along with aircraft from the AS332, AS532 and EC135 families. The Ejército de Tierra will bring helicopters linked to manoeuvre and emergency response. Attack and transport roles are also represented.
The Armada will contribute SH-60B helicopters, along with H135 and NH90 aircraft from different squadrons. Other helicopters will come from the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio, the Guardia Civil, the Policía Nacional, Vigilancia Aduanera and the Dirección General de Tráfico.
The central ceremony is scheduled for 12 October at around 11:00. Municipal traffic restrictions are expected from approximately 7:00 to 15:00. The route begins near the Paseo del Prado and the Jardín Botánico, passes Cibeles and ends at the plaza de Colón, with the royal stand beside Neptuno.
In practice, the parade’s scale depends on whether the formations can take shape above Madrid. The 2025 rain cancellation showed how quickly the forecast can override a prepared flight programme.
