The Royal International Air Tattoo (R.I.A.T.) is held annually (next show: 18–20 July 2025) in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom – home of the 420th Air Base Squadron.
The aspiration for RIAT 2025 is to deliver an eclectic mix of aircraft on both flying and static display. This aircraft participation list will be updated each Thursday, once written confirmation of aircraft participation has been received from the aircraft operator.
The operational theme for this year’s Air Tattoo is EYES IN THE SKIES.
This year’s ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme will see the Royal International Air Tattoo celebrate and highlight the vital role aviation plays across domains of aerial surveying, airborne early warning, maritime patrol, search and rescue, reconnaissance, signals intelligence and surveillance. At RAF Fairford we will welcome aircraft from around the world which have been modified and adapted for use on these specialised missions, in military and civilian operation for visitors to view. Literally Hundreds of aircraft, representing around 30 nations.
The Polish Air Force will be sending their “Tiger Demo Team” with their F-16C Fighting Falcon to perform at RIAT25. This will be the first time we’ve seen the demo at RIAT since 2018, following last year’s unfortunate last-minute cancellation of their participation. The team uses a Block 52 variant of the F-16, and therefore are expecting it to perform with conformal fuel tanks fitted, offering an interesting comparison to the previously announced F-16AM from Denmark. The team will be supported by a C-130E Hercules as a support aircraft, however, at this stage, it is not known if this aircraft will remain for static display over the weekend.
This week we also have four additions to the static display line-up. We’re pleased to welcome a pair of aircraft from Ireland, firstly with their Pilatus PC-12NG, only seen once before at RIAT 2022, and very appropriate for our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme. In addition, they’ll also send an AW139 helicopter. We’re delighted to announce that the Commemorative Air Force will be extending their ‘Navy to Victory’ Tour with their Douglas R4D-6S “Ready 4 Duty” aircraft to include an appearance at RIAT25. This aircraft’s participation is particularly special to us, as the aircraft was also present at the first Air Tattoo which was held at RAF Fairford in 1985. The aircraft will be on static display all three days of the show, and the iconic aircraft will have artefacts from surviving U.S. World War II-era warships, assembled onboard the aircraft, especially for the Navy to Victory Tour. Finally, we’ll always be happy to add another classic jet to the static line, this time in the form of a Fouga Magister, operated in private hands in France.
As the event draws closer we’re starting to hear back from more of the world’s Air Arms, who due to their operational tempo are sadly unable to send aircraft this year, but hope to return to RIAT again in future years. That said, we are still in positive discussions with a myriad of operators and plenty more aircraft to be announced for both flying and static displays in the coming weeks.
Last year’s show: our aspiration for RIAT 2023 was to deliver an eclectic mix of aircraft on both flying and static displays, focusing on our various themes. This aircraft participation list will be updated each Thursday, once written confirmation of aircraft participation has been received from the aircraft operator. The operational theme for this year’s Air Tattoo was SKYTANKER23, which highlighted the vital role of air-to-air refuelling in modern military aviation. It was our aim to display the history of air-to-air refuelling from humble beginnings in 1923, evolving through the last century, to the modern aircraft which we see in service around the world today.
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world’s largest military airshow. A record crowd of nearly 200,000 people enjoyed a feast of flying at the 2023 Air Tattoo. In total, 302 aircraft, from the Air Force, Army, Navy, representing 27 nations attended the airshow. There’s such a vast array of aircraft that were either static or flying – from the latest of; U2, B-52, Osprey, F-15, F-16, F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, C-17, KC-135, Harrier, Grippen, (helicopters) Chinook, Sea King, Apache, Mil Gunship, Tornado, C-130’s, F-4 Phantom, to the Hurricane, Spitfire, Lancaster, P-51 Mustang, Hawker Hunter, Meteor, Vampire and SO MUCH MORE – THE LIST GOES ON! Among the flying display highlights were a number of unique flypasts with the “star” of the show, a replica Messerschmitt Me 262, making its only flying appearance on Sunday.
Whether you want to fly straight into London and sight-see before or after the show, (the RAF Hendon Air Museum is a MUST!) hire a rental car or catch a train to Swindon (1hr 10min by rental car or 1hr 50min by train from Heathrow) then onto Fairford, we can tailor arrangements to your preference. We also have access to a number of accommodation options around Fairford to suit your budget and preference.
Many of England’s best-known tourist destinations are on the doorstep of RAF Fairford. The base is a gateway to the Cotswolds, an area that combines the harmony of nature and period architecture with major shopping centres, first-class sporting facilities and excellent restaurants.