The COVID-19 pandemic curtailed any opportunity for the Royal International Air Tattoo to mark its 50th anniversary with the scale of celebration it deserved. In 2025, however, RIAT was presented a new occasion for commemoration: the 40th anniversary of its first show at RAF Fairford, now firmly established as the Air Tattoo’s modern-day home. We look at this year’s show and also reflect on the event’s future in light of the discussions that have dominated the post-show discourse. Over the course of the show weekend, the AeroResource team was on the ground in Gloucestershire.
The Royal International Air Tattoo experience has inevitably evolved over the past four decades. The days when RAF Fairford’s taxiways and aprons could host forty Hercules to mark the type’s 40th anniversary (1994), or present an extensive KC-135 line-up for the “Skytanker” theme the following year, are now firmly in the past. For 2025, it was the first occasion the AeroResource team remarked that the tarmac at Fairford felt notably sparse. Large gaps between aircraft and unconventional parking arrangements contributed to a disjointed showground layout, a sentiment echoed widely across social media. The reduction reflects the reality of today’s smaller air arms and the operational demands imposed by current global security challenges, which limit the capacity for mass participation. Nevertheless, RIAT remains among the very few—if not the only—airshows worldwide capable of drawing the rare and unique aircraft that continued to feature in 2025’s line-up. Among those rarities, a RIAT nation debut.
Egyptian Air Force
That debut, a notable highlight for many aviation enthusiasts at RIAT 2025 was the appearance of the Egyptian Air Force. Egypt became the 59th nation to participate at the Air Tattoo, and its contribution was among the standouts of this year’s event. With Eastern Bloc designs now increasingly rare in Western European service, the sight of an Antonov An-74T “Coaler” on static display was especially welcome. Its distinctive configuration—twin engines mounted above the wings—combined with an overall sand camouflage scheme, drew attention from both enthusiasts and the general public. The Egyptian Air Force operates a fleet of just three An-74s, all modernised with glass cockpits and tasked with roles ranging from tactical transport to medevac. The example present at RIAT, assigned to 533 Air Wing based at Cairo International Airport, was accompanied by a crew who engaged warmly with visitors throughout the three show days. Their participation was a rare and memorable addition, and AeroResource hopes to see Egypt return in future years.
Apache Helicopter 50th Anniversary
One of the themes of RIAT 2025 was the 50th anniversary of the AH-64 Apache helicopter. To mark the occasion, RIAT was attended by four examples of the helicopter, each from a different nation. A first-time visit of an AH-64E Apache Guardian from both the Netherlands and the United States Army formed half of the lineup. These were provided by the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s 301 Squadron based at Gilze-Rijen and the U.S. Army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade based in Germany, respectively. Of course, the celebration wouldn’t have been complete without a UK Army Air Corps example, which also flew the coveted Army Air Corps display during the Friday show day as well as being part of the static line up. This display consisted of two AH-64E Apaches and an AW159 Wildcat AH1. Renowned for its use of pyrotechnics, the display left a noticeable mark—quite literally—as the hot, dry weather the UK had experienced in recent weeks meant a sizable area of grass was scorched once the display had concluded.
Perhaps the star appearance to mark the occasion was an example provided by the Qatar Emiri Air Force. It was a great effort by the Qataris to get the helicopter to the show, as it was flown to the UK in a C-17 transport aircraft into RAF Brize Norton, assembled, and then flown into the show during the arrival’s days. Their aircraft wore a striking desert camouflage paint scheme and was a particular highlight for photographers—a fitting way to honour the type’s anniversary.
The first flight of the AH-64 Apache occurred on September 30th, 1975. It was a design developed by Hughes as an anti-tank helicopter to replace the AH-1 Cobra, which had been used extensively during the Vietnam War. The original AH-64A entered U.S. Army service in 1986 and featured advanced sensors and targeting systems, as well as an impressive array of weapons capabilities. These included four wing-mounted hardpoints capable of carrying both Hydra 70 rocket pods and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, in addition to a 30mm M230 Chain Gun. It’s easy to see why the design has been so successful and remains in production today. The latest AH-64E models are produced by Boeing, which took over McDonnell Douglas, the company that had acquired Hughes, the original manufacturer. The AH-64E has significant upgrades over the initial A model, including the AN/APG-78 mast-mounted Longbow radar, which can track up to 128 targets simultaneously, highlight the 16 most significant threats to the mission, and destroy them at a moment’s notice. Other enhancements include foldable rotor blades for naval operations and uprated engines that provide improved power and performance. The Apache has seen action in numerous military operations, including in Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa, and noticeably during Operation Herrick by the UK Army Air Corps in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Pakistan Air Force
A returning nation, but no less noteworthy, was Pakistan, whose presence at RIAT 2025 drew considerable interest. A pair of PAC JF-17C Thunder Block III fighters from 8 Squadron “Haiders” made the journey to Fairford via Turkey, supported by a 10 Squadron “Bulls” Ilyushin Il-78MP Midas. JF-17s have appeared in the UK before, but this marked the first visit of the latest upgraded Block III variant to both an Air Tattoo and the UK. The deployment followed the type’s recent operational involvement during heightened tensions with neighbouring India. The operational configuration of the JF-17Cs was evident, with inert munitions displayed underwing — including what is believed to be the public debut of the Chinese PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.
Pakistan’s contingent was further bolstered by a C-130H Hercules of 6 Squadron “Antelopes,” wearing a vivid special scheme celebrating this year’s operational theme, “Eyes in the Skies.” The artwork featured ISTAR aircraft of the Pakistani armed forces, complemented by a striking bird-of-prey motif. The aircraft earned the RUAG Trophy, awarded to the overall winner of the Concours d’Elegance for best-presented and maintained aircraft at the show. Pakistan’s overall contribution was further recognised with the “Spirit of the Meet” Trophy, presented to the participant judged to best embody the ethos of the Air Tattoo.
“In recognition of their efforts deploying a pair of indigenous fighter aircraft, on a 4000 mile journey, alongside a tanker and special painted transport aircraft, and presenting them in a colourful and engaging static display, the Spirit of the Meet award for the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 is presented to the Pakistan Air Force.”
Eyes in the Skies
‘EYES IN THE SKIES` was the main operational theme for RIAT 2025, celebrating aircraft operating in a variety of roles including aerial surveying, airborne early warning, maritime patrol and reconnaissance and search and rescue. The theme allowed the RIAT team to invite some incredible types that are rarely seen away from their operating areas.
Obviously, the closest participants came from just over the runway from the 99th ERS. There isn’t many shows around the world you get to see two Lockheed U-2’s on public display, but RIAT 2025 had a mission jet in the flying display and the “circuit” jet in the static, allowing the public to see the jet in all its glory. Another locally based USAF aircraft in the static came from RAF Mildenhall based 95th Reconnaissance Squadron with their Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint.
The Royal Air Force had an example of all three Boeing types that cover the eyes in the sky theme, including the first public appearance of the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW.1. RAF Lossiemouth based 120 Squadron provided a Boeing P-8 Poseidon MRA.1 in both static and flying, and completing the trio, a from 51 squadron Boeing RC135 Rivet Joint R.1 made several passes during the Friday flying display. Coming from CFB Greenwood, 405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force certainly were the furthest military attendees, and they sent a recently upgraded CP-140M Aurora.
From the civil side of the theme, one aircraft that certainly caught the eye was the Grob G520T, built as a high-altitude surveillance aircraft, the long thin wings allow a 7.5hr endurance at 50,000ft ceiling allowing the Grob to be used for many civilian projects. Two newly delivered De Havilland Dash 8’s also made their first public and RIAT appearances this year, the United Kingdom’s Home Office had their new Dash 8-100ISR on display along with Metrea’s new Dash 8-Q300 Fireswift.
Helicopter Highlights
Making its first appearance at RIAT, Spanish Air Force Sikorsky S76C from Ala49/801sq, based on the Island of Mallorca was another type rarely seen outside of its home nation. Replacing the Super Puma in the SAR duties on the Beleric islands the type has only recently transferred into the full time Search and Rescue role having operated with Ala78 at Grenada as the primary multi engine helicopter trainer since 1991.
Another RIAT and UK debut came from Portugal and their stunning camouflage Westland Merlin Mk.514 from 751 Squadron (pumas), featuring in the flying display the Merlin flew an impeccable SAR demo showing us how well this helicopter handles the Search and Rescue role.
The Czech Air Force supported the show with both static and flying displays under the Eyes in the Sky theme. The odd looking Let 410FG with its glass nose was built in small numbers with only a handful flying in the designed military role of aerial mapping and ground scanning. While in the flying display a pair of PZL W-3 Sokół participated with a SAR demo. The display won the team the RAFCTE trophy for best overseas flying display.
French Contingent
Two of the highlights under this year’s theme came from France with both the Air Force and Navy sending aircraft entering the twilight of their careers. Flotilla 23F from Lorient/Lann-Bihoue sent one of their Breguet Atlantique 2 to participate in the flying display, not only were the Rolls Royce Tynes an incredible addition to the flying display, but seeing such a unique plane like the ATL2 thrown around the sky including a pass with dummy Exocet on view in the bomb bay was an incredible treat. The AeroResource team were fortunate to speak with the aircraft Captain after the sunday display who said “First of all, our participation in the RIAT is a big event for us due to our huge operational employment. In effect, we don’t have a specialized demo team like, Rafale, A400M, EF200… All of our team is fully operational; we are performing airshows in addition to our main missions. So it’s fantastic!” Its also important to appreciate some of the reasoning behind these aircraft displays, the captain went on to add “we also liked to share our passion with the youngest fans dreaming about flying. That’s why it was very important to perform a flying display to concretize our statements about our unique savoir-faire in Europe“
While the French Air Force sent the rare Boeing E-3F Sentry. The BA702 Avord based AWACS was a welcome addition in the static display, even allowing the public to walk through the aircraft.
Other RIAT Highlights
From an aircraft-focused perspective, there were still numerous noteworthy participants beyond those already covered. Among them was the diminutive MD500E Defender of the Finnish Army’s 2nd Helicopter Company, positioned among the line-up of European rotorcraft at the tree-backed western end loop. Dismantled, transported, and reassembled specifically for the show, its presence was a testament to the commitment that only RIAT seems able to inspire. Another example was the world’s sole airworthy Fiat G.91R, which finally joined the flying display after regulatory hurdles curtailed its planned 2023 appearance for the Italian Air Force centenary. This year, the Air Operations team succeeded in bringing the aircraft to Fairford to mark 65 years of the Frecce Tricolori. And yet, while such “RIAT-only” moments still exist, there was an undeniable sense that something is missing or in fact lost for good.
Inevitably, global events influence the show. Serviceability issues, operational demands, and other factors contributed to a flying programme that felt lighter than in previous years, while the aforementioned sparse static displays left the AeroResource team questioning the gaps on the tarmac. Perhaps strong post-COVID editions have set a high bar, but RIAT 2025 struggled to meet the standard established in recent memory.
Part of the issue lies beyond the aircraft themselves. The gates had barely opened before the show was looking towards 2026. While ticket prices remain unchanged, the introduction of a £15-per-day parking charge quickly became a focal point of conversation among visitors. For some, however, the more significant concern was the continued erosion of the FRIAT package. Once the experience for the Air Tattoo’s regular supporters, many of its advantages have now disappeared. Speaking with long-time FRIAT attendees, the prevailing sentiment was that 2025 marked the final straw in a gradual decline.
Ultimately, Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 was a reminder of the event’s enduring ability to attract rare aircraft and international participation unmatched by very few other airshows — yet it also underlined the challenges it faces in a changing modern world, commercial pressures, and the expectations of its most loyal audience. How the organisers address that balance will define not only the tone of RIAT 2026, but its long-term standing in the aviation calendar. The AeroResource team would like to thank Sam Pilcher for contributing some of the images in the article and you can find out more about the Royal International Air Tattoo and next years show here; https://www.airtattoo.com
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