Biggest Portsmouth Armed Forces Day ever with Spitfires to fly over city and parachute jump to wow crowds

An action-packed Armed Forces Day will see Spitfires fly over Portsmouth and a sensational parachute jump.

Historic planes will roar across the sky on June 20 as part of a packed schedule. Entertainment for all the family is promised between 10am and 4pm on Southsea Common, with a huge array of military events and displays.

Another iconic moment is planned to give people the chance to be part of Portsmouth history. A photo will be captured from an Airbus space satellite of visitors forming the Portsmouth100 logo at precisely 11.49am.

Portsmouth City Council organises the annual event. The local authority’s leader, Councillor Steve Pitt said: ”We are nearly at the halfway point of our big centenary celebrations, and what better event to create our own piece of history than Portsmouth Armed Forces Day.

“Knowing how loved this event is, I have no doubt thousands of people will want to be a part of it and the Portsmouth100 photo from space, as well coming to honour the country’s brave armed forces community, and enjoy a great, free event.”

Sam Doody, site director at Airbus Space and Defence Portsmouth, said: “This will be a great celebration of Portsmouth’s historic 100 years as a city – and it will be fantastic to capture the moment from space with one of our satellites snapping the occasion – we now just have to hope it will be a cloud free day.”

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BAE Systems is the headline sponsor for Armed Forces Day. The company’s support has helped put on the biggest schedule of events and entertainment in the event’s history. A successful grant bid from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) also aided the cause.

Scott Jamieson, managing director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services, said: “We are incredibly proud to be able to support Portsmouth’s 2026 Armed Forces Day. The celebrations will provide a great opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution of our Armed Forces community and to show our support to those in service, veterans and their families.”

List of events planned:

• Air displays including an RAF Display Tutor and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from a pair of Spitfires
• Royal Navy parachute jump
• Military parades and displays including veterans, cadets and service personnel
• Helicopters including Navy Wings’ Wasp and Gazelle brought by British Army 6AAC Army Air Corps along with other military vehicles
• Motorbikes from Royal British Legion Riders
• Multiple stalls including cadet groups, veterans, serving military and reserves groups providing free interactive activities for all the family
• Free children’s activities including a climbing wall provided by City of Portsmouth Scouts
• Field gun competitions for schools and cadet groups
• A paid funfair, food and refreshment stalls