Wednesday July 16th 2025, RAF Fairford. Situated in the beautiful Cotswold area on England, where the famous River Thames begins its long journey to the sea, aircraft enthusiasts from across the world wait in line in anticipation of a plethora of rare and wonderful aircraft. It’s arrivals day for the upcoming Royal International Air Tattoo, and the patient mix of multicultural and international aviation fans are ready for a common goal – to witness the world’s greatest airshow.

The annual Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) planning takes place well in advance of these aircraft arrivals of course but today marks the start of the influx of global aviation assets to arrive at RAF Fairford, and these enthusiasts are here to witness it. In fact, this is the 40th anniversary of the Tattoo being held at RAF Fairford, and excitement of what’s to come to each show has not diminished in all that time, and 2025 was no different.

The theme for RIAT 2025 was ‘Eyes in the Skies’, a celebration of the myriad or roles such as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Search and Rescue (SAR). The range of aircraft that this scope entails is huge, and RIAT 2025 supplied a good mixture of these aircraft ranging from the unusual looking Grob G520NG Egret, the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, Lockheed U-2S Dragonlady and Westland Sea King HAR3 to name but four.

The Lockheed U-2S Dragonlady is very rare to see at airshows outside the USA, and even rarer in the flying display. That the aircraft that displayed had it’s ‘Lady Mission’ sensors, which include a dorsal appendage and lengthened nose profile, added even more interest to this high-altitude spy plane. 24 U-2S remain in service with the United States Air Force (USAF) based with the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB in California, and the two at RAF Fairford are part of a permanent detachment of the aircraft at the base. However, the U-2 has been slated for retirement next year, so unless a stay of execution can be found, this maybe the last time the UK public will see the aircraft in the air.

As usual, the Royal Air Force was very much in evidence at RIAT 2025 as the Tattoo is the RAF flagship international engagement event according to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton. The RAF has a heavy presence in ISR world, with several platforms filling the different roles. The Boeing P-8A Poseidon MRA1, primarily used for maritime surveillance, was in attendance in the static display and another example flew from its base at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to perform a couple of fly-bys over the weekend. One of the three 51 Squadron Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint performed a fly by on Friday. The Rivet Joint is based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and is an integral part of the RAF ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) fleet. For the first time a Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW1 belonging to the RAF was on show at RAF Fairford. This AEW (Airbourne Early Warning) platform has replaced the Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 in RAF service.

Other highlights under the ‘Eyes in the Skies’ banner included a wonderful air display by the Breguet Atlantique 2 from the French Navy. The aircraft was flown with an inert Exocet missile in its bomb bay.

Over 2 miles of static aircraft, supplemented with trade stands, inter-active tech zones and numerous other distractions held more aircraft under the ‘Eyes in the Skies’ banner. These included a Leonardo P-72A MPA from the Italian Air Force, a Britten Norman BN-2B Islander from the Channels Islands Air Search, a Lockheed CP-140 Aurora from the Royal Canadian Air Force and an Italian Coastguard ATR 42-400MP Surveyor. With this year’s theme it was of course no surprise to see so many helicopters, one of the most adaptable and versatile machines, at RIAT, with nearly 40 different in-service military rotary wing aircraft in attendance.

The range and rarity of helicopters was abundant, ranging from the Finnish Army MD Helicopters MD-500E, Hungarian Air Force Airbus H225M and Swedish Air Force Sikorsky Hkp 16A Black Hawk. One of the latter also took part in the air display. It’s hard to believe the Apache attack helicopter is celebrating it’s 50th birthday at RIAT 2025, and this milestone was empathised in the static park with 4 AH-64E Apache Guardian from 4 different countries, namely the UK’s Army Air Corps (AAC), Royal Netherlands Air Force, United States Army and the Qatar Emiri Air Force.

There was a record demand for tickets for this year’s RIAT and over 175,000 attended the three-day event to see over 200 aircraft take part. A first-time attendee was the Egyptian Air Force with one of the three in service Antonov An-74T transport aircraft that belong to the 533rd Air Wing.

Pakistan is a country that is not a regular participant in Western Europe, so it was very welcome to see four aircraft from the nation’s air force at RIAT. Two PAC JF-17C Thunder fighters from 8 Squadron perhaps the highlight for many an enthusiast at the show. The 4000-mile journey was an epic undertaking, and the Pakistan Air Force was awarded the ‘Spirit of the Meet’ trophy in recognition of this feat. Alongside the Ilyushin Il-78MP tanker/transport from 10 squadron was a very specially painted Lockheed C-130H Hercules from 6 Squadron of the 35th Air Mobility Wing which also took home the RUAG Trophy awarded to the overall winner of the Concurs d’Elegance. This Hercules was no stranger to RIAT as it had previously served with the Belgian Air Force as serial CH-08.

So, what of the other awards? Here are some highlights from the press release from the Aircrew Awards Ceremony.

THE KING HUSSEIN MEMORIAL SWORD: Presented in memory of the late HM King Hussein of Jordan, former Patron of the International Air Tattoo, for the overall most polished and precise flying demonstration.
For a crisp, accurate, precise flying demonstration, captivating the audience despite the poor weather, the winner is Captain Andrej Andrej Fiorelli, flying the Pilatus PC-9M, from the Slovenian Armed Forces.

THE PAUL BOWEN TROPHY: Presented in memory of the Royal International Air Tattoo co-founder Paul Bowen for the Best Solo Jet Demonstration.
Showing integrity and skill to safely manage his display, in challenging and unusual situational, and then demonstrating the agility of a potent combat aircraft over the following days, the winner is the Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer of 29 Squadron and the Royal Air Force BAE Systems Typhoon FGR.4.

THE SIR DOUGLAS BADER TROPHY: Presented for the Best Individual Flying Demonstration.
A stalwart of the European display circuit for a number of years, enthusiastically demonstrating an iconic airframe in spectacular livery, in a powerful yet graceful display routine, the winner is Captain Troels ‘TEO’ Vang of the Royal Danish Air Force, flying the F-16AM Fighting Falcon.

THE RAFCTE TROPHY: Presented for the Best Flying Demonstration by an Overseas Participant.
For an usual pairs demonstration showing both operationally skilful flying in a fun and entertaining manner. The winner is the pairs display of the W-3A Sokol helicopters, of the 243rd Helicopter Squadron, Czech Air Force, flown by Lt. Col. Petr Safarik and Maj. Antonin Petru.

THE STEEDMAN DISPLAY SWORD: Presented in memory of the late Air Chief Marshal Sir Alasdair Steedman, Former Chairman of the International Air Tattoo, for the most notable contribution to the Air Tattoo by a British participant.
For a tight and crowd-pleasing display, flown with precision and panache, representing the best of the Royal Air Force, with three perfect displays and a keynote mixed formation. The sword is presented to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.

It should also be noted that the Red Arrows displayed at RIAT with sustainable jet fuel, a world first.

THE ‘AS THE CROW FLIES’ TROPHY: Presented for the best overall flying demonstration as judged by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT), the show’s aviation enthusiast supporters club.
For an aggressive and powerful demonstration, the F-16C Fighting Falcon of the Polish Air Force ‘Tiger Demo Team’ flown by Major Maciej ‘SLAB’ Krakowian.

BEST LIVERY TROPHY: Awarded to the aircraft with the most spectacular special colour scheme on display at RIAT25, judged by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT), the show’s aviation enthusiast supporters club.
The F-16AM Fighting Falcon, E-006 “Dannebrog II”, livery from the Royal Danish Air Force!

ENGAGEMENT TROPHY. New for RIAT25, the Engagement Trophy will presented for the most engaging, interactive and visually attractive static aircraft display.
This aircraft was manned by its crew throughout the Saturday & Sunday, allowing visitor to access the cockpit, giving flying helmets and equipment to children to pose for photographs, embracing the spirit and ethos of the Air Tattoo, well representing their nation and exhibiting an iconic helicopter type. The winner of the RIAT Engagement Trophy for 2025 is the crews from 2nd Helicopter Squadron of the Swedish Air Force, with their Sikorsky Hkp.16 Black Hawk aircraft.

Overall, despite challenges with the weather, RIAT 2025 was another success. See how many types you recognise from the photographs taken over the busy arrival days and the three days of the show! RIAT 2026 will take place on July 17th-19th and tickets are available now on Airtattoo.com

Pixelsnipers would like to thank the RIAT media team for their assistance in this article for facilitating a successful outcome to our endeavours.

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