The flying program at RIAT 2025 was nothing short of spectacular, delivering nearly 20 hours of aerial displays across three days. Against the backdrop of RAF Fairford’s 40th anniversary as host, the skies came alive with a mix of heritage icons, frontline assets, and international contributions that underscored the Tattoo’s reputation as Europe’s most complete military airshow. Despite the unsettled British weather, the program maintained its rhythm, offering audiences a seamless blend of tradition, innovation, and global collaboration.

The Royal Air Force anchored the weekend with a strong presence, headlined by the Red Arrows and supported by frontline types such as the Typhoon FGR4, Chinook HC6, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Rare appearances from intelligence and patrol aircraft — including the RC‑135 Rivet Joint, P‑8A Poseidon, and the debut of the Boeing E‑7A Wedgetail AEW1 — highlighted the “Eyes in the Skies” theme, giving spectators a rare glimpse into the UK’s evolving airborne capability. These moments balanced the familiar spectacle of precision aerobatics with the intrigue of operational assets seldom seen in public.

International partners added depth and color to the program. Rotary displays from the Czech Air Force, German Army, Swedish Air Force, and Portugal’s Merlin Mk514 brought variety and flair, while fixed‑wing contributions ranged from France’s charismatic Atlantique ATL2 to the United States Air Force’s extraordinary full demonstration of the U‑2S reconnaissance aircraft. National teams such as Italy’s Frecce Tricolori, the Royal Jordanian Falcons, and Slovenia’s PC‑9M Hudournik reinforced RIAT’s global character, each display combining skill with cultural identity.

The finale belonged to Denmark’s Captain Troels “TEO” Vang, whose F‑16AM Fighting Falcon routine marked the end of an era for the Danish solo display. His graceful yet powerful performance, enhanced by the striking “Dannebrog II” livery, closed RIAT 2025 with a water‑salute tribute and earned the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy. It was a fitting conclusion to a program that celebrated heritage, showcased innovation, and reaffirmed RIAT’s standing as the world’s premier stage for military aviation.

Photography By: Harry Morrow & Andrew Robinson.

UK Army air corps APACHE

RIAT 2025, UK’s Army Air Corps Apache helicopter captivated audiences with its dynamic performance. Known for its formidable presence, the Apache showcased agility and power, culminating in a dramatic ‘wall of fire’ pyrotechnic display.

SPITFIRE & HURRICANE

The Spitfire and Hurricane took to the skies, flying a graceful routine, honoring their heritage with elegance and care. Their gentle maneuvers highlighted not only the elegance of their design but also the respect shown by the pilots in preserving such treasured aircraft.

UK AAC APACHE & rn WILDCAT

The Army Air Corps Apache joined forces with the Royal Navy Wildcat in a combined demonstration that showcased the strength and versatility of the UK’s frontline helicopters.

RAF TYPHOON

The RAF Typhoon delivered a thrilling solo routine, combining raw power with precision. Its high‑energy maneuvers, tight turns, and roaring afterburner passes demonstrated the aircraft’s cutting‑edge capability while leaving the crowd in awe. The display balanced technical excellence with sheer spectacle, underscoring the Typhoon’s role as a cornerstone of the UK’s air defense.

FINNISH AIR FORCE F-18

The Finnish F‑18 impressed with sharp turns, rapid climbs, and thunderous passes. Flying multiple demos each day, F-18 Hornet produced striking wing vapor in the moist conditions, a real treat for photographers, awesome to see the F-18 Legacy still performs so well.

GERMAN ARMY NH90

The German Army NH‑90 showcased its versatility with a smooth routine, highlighting transport agility and modern capability

SWEDISH AIR FORCE H-60 BLACKHAWK

The Swedish Air Force marked the UK debut of its Hkp.16 (UH‑60M) Blackhawk, the first ever appearance of any H‑60 variant in an Air Tattoo flying display. The routine highlighted the helicopter’s agility and significance, making this a historic moment for RIAT audiences.

ROYAL NAVY WILDCATS

The Royal Navy Black Cats Display Team flew a synchronized punchy routine with two Wildcat HMA2s, showcasing precision and teamwork.

SPITFIRES

Rolls‑Royce contributed to the theme with a pairing of its Spitfire PRXIX, flown by Jim Schofield, and the Aircraft Restoration Company’s PRXI, piloted by Lars Ness. The duo flew in close formation, offering a graceful tribute to the enduring legacy of the Spitfire.

PORTUGESE AIR FORCE EH101

A highlight was the Portuguese Air Force Merlin Mk514 from Esquadra 751, delivering an impressive Search and Rescue display. Returning to UK skies after many years, the crew showcased the helicopter’s capability with precision, its striking camouflage adding to the spectacle, a photographer’s dream.

ITALIAN AIR FORCE C-27J

The Leonardo C‑27J Spartan stunned with its aerobatic antics, even flying upside down, a remarkable feat for a transport aircraft, still leaves me in awe, a true air show act.

RED ARROWS

The Red Arrows delivered their trademark precision formation aerobatics, thrilling the crowd with smoke‑trailed elegance. Their synchronized maneuvers and dynamic patterns remain a highlight of the Air Tattoo, I miss seeing them on a regular basis, hopefully if they tour the USA 2026 I will get to see them again.

ROYAL AIR FORCE F-35

The RAF F‑35 displayed stealth and agility with sharp maneuvers and powerful climbs, hoovering in front of the crowd in a show of raw power, just like the days of the Harrier (but I would say the F-35 gives more noise), the F-35 with its cutting‑edge technology and striking presence highlights it’s very important frontline role, in UK’s defense.

FRENCH AIR FORCE E3

The French Air Force E‑3 Sentry impressed with its rare flying appearance, highlighting airborne early warning capability. Its size and distinctive radar dome made it a unique addition to the static display.

FRENCH ARMY TBM700

The French Army TBM700 demonstrated light transport versatility with a smooth routine and crisp handling. Compact yet capable, it offered a glimpse into the efficiency of modern utility aircraft. Seen arriving to take it’s place on the static display.

BELGIUM AIR FORCE F-16

The Belgian Air Force F‑16 Falcon arrived in a spectacular color scheme, destined for the static display. Its striking livery added vibrancy to the showground and drew plenty of attention from enthusiasts and photographers alike.

FOUGA MAGISTER

This wonderful looking Fouga Magister, ex French Air Force, arrived to display its elegant lines on the showground. Its distinctive shape and classic jet heritage made it a welcome addition to the display line.

GERMAN NAVY LYNX

The German Navy Lynx returned with a sharp routine, demonstrating maritime agility and dependable capability.

BIZJETS & GENERAL AVIATION

A variety of bizjets and general aviation types added diversity to the static line, showcasing sleek designs and everyday utility, one highlight for me personally was the N700TN a Beech H18 built in 1964.

SEAKING & LYNX

The pairing of Sea King and Lynx highlighted rotary heritage, combining classic presence with proven versatility. Awesome to see these helicopters have been kept in flying status not just for myself but future generations to enjoy.

SUPPORT AIRCRAFT

Essential support aircraft ensured smooth operations, their presence underscoring the backbone role behind the flying displays. We were limited to the amount of support aircraft as we only covered 3 days at RIAT.

DUTCH APACHE

The Royal Netherlands Air Force Apache gave a confident routine, showing its attack helicopter agility with tight turns and steady hovers. The display underlined the type’s frontline capability in a straightforward, professional manner. It looks a menacing beast.

UK GOVT

A UK Government Dash 8 arrived for the static display, its clean lines and distinctive scheme adding interest to the showground. Though not part of the flying programme, it offered a rare chance to see this utility aircraft up close.

SWEDISH AIR FORCE GRIPPEN

The sole Gripen in the flying program was SAAB’s JAS‑39E demonstration. The jet’s crisp routine was complemented by its bold three-tone splinter camouflage, which gave it a distinctly more commanding and aggressive look.  The bold scheme and dynamic angles made for superb photo opportunities, especially during high‑energy passes and tight turns.

RAF BOEING RC-135W RIVET JOINT

Within the ‘Eyes in the Skies’ focus, 51 Squadron’s RC‑135V Rivet Joint executed two Friday flypasts. The rarity of a Rivet Joint in the program made it a crowd‑pleaser, and its long, slab‑sided profile offered clean photographic angles during both passes.

POLISH AIR FORCE F-16

A Polish Air Force F‑16 Falcon appeared in a grey tiger scheme, blending low‑viz tones with striking artwork. The subdued livery photographed well in flat light, with the tiger motif popping on nose and tail during taxi and head‑on passes. Sadly, on August 28^th, 2025, a Polish Air Force F-16 from the F-16 Tiger Demo Team crashed during a rehearsal for the Radom Air Show, the pilot, Major Maciej Krakowian, was killed in the crash. He was the leader of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team. The crash is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest the F-16 may have crashed during a low-altitude maneuver, our thoughts are for the family, friends & colleagues of Major Maciej Krakowian.

SLOVAK AF PC-9

The Slovenian Air Force PC‑9M Hudournik, flown by Captain Andrej Fiorelli, delivered a crisp, high‑precision aerobatic routine. Fiorelli’s skill and dynamism earned the King Hussein Memorial Sword for an outstanding aerobatic display.  Tight figures and clean lines made for excellent photography, particularly during vertical and rolling reversals.

GERMAN AIR FORCE A400

The Luftwaffe Airbus A400M impressed with a dynamic routine that highlighted its maneuverability through sharp turns, steep ascents, and short-field operations. Taken from LTG62 at Wunstorf, this full display included demonstrations of operational modes, such as ramp use and low-speed segments. On Saturday, attention was drawn when applying the brakes in a runway reverse made the nose pitch noticeably upward. The show featured striking photo opportunities with banking passes, propeller blur during low approaches, and dramatic sequences involving the rear ramp.

USAF U2

The USAF U‑2S from RAF Fairford’s 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron gave a rare demonstration in Europe, fully equipped with the Senior Span spine pod and a sensor-fitted nose. In keeping with the ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme, the display included much more than standard fly-bys: there was a performance take-off, a wheels-up pass, and a simulated flame-out landing followed by a go-around. With its long wings and sleek design, the aircraft provided excellent opportunities for photography, especially during the wheels up pass and the final approach.

RAF P8 & WEDGETAIL

The RAF Boeing P‑8A Poseidon featured in the flying display, its maritime‑patrol lines and purposeful low passes underlining the type’s operational role. The new Boeing E‑7A Wedgetail made a welcome appearance after resolving Friday tech issues, its distinctive dorsal radar giving a memorable silhouette during system‑showcase passes.

FRENCH NAVY ATLANTIQUE

The French Navy’s ATL2 Atlantique from 23F at Lann Bihoué brought classic maritime patrol presence, its twin Rolls‑Royce Tyne turboprops giving that instantly recognizable soundtrack. The crew flew a graceful profile with curved, offset passes that showed both upper and lower surfaces to the crowd. Strong photo angles came during banking segments and low passes, with the airframe’s distinctive lines well captured in profile. Hopes are high we’ll see the ATL2 return to the flying program again.

SPANISH AIR FORCE TYPHOON

The Spanish Air Force Eurofighter C.16 Tifon (Typhoon) cut through the dark skies with compact, high‑G turns, the airframe shedding crisp vapor on each hard radius maneuver. The distinct silhouette of the jet against the low cloud enhanced both its photographic geometry and operational clarity.

BOBMF

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster experienced engine trouble in the run‑up to RIAT, prompting intensive work from the ground crew. Engineers worked relentlessly through the lead‑up, diagnosing and repairing issues to ensure the aircraft could join the display.

ITALIAN HISTORIC FLIGHT

The flying program featured the Leonardo T‑346A Master alongside the Catellani Group’s beautifully restored Fiat G‑91R/1A, wearing the Fecci Tri Colri team colors. The G‑91’s meticulous restoration first emerged in 2023 for the Italian Air Force centenary at Pratica di Mare; RIAT marked its first airshow outing outside Italy and gave many spectators their first chance to see the type perform a short solo display.

DANISH AIR FORCE F-16

One of the standouts of the fast‑jet displays came from the Royal Danish Air Force F‑16AM flown by Capt Troels “TEO” Vang. 2025 marks the type’s final display year as Denmark transitions to the F‑35A, making this the last solo A‑model F‑16 appearance at RIAT. TEO’s routine balanced graceful lines with high‑energy maneuvers, and the “Dannebrog II” livery gave the jet a distinctive, photogenic identity. The display won the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for Best Individual Flying Demonstration.

RAF CHINOOK

The RAF Chinook delivered a powerful, crowd‑pleasing display, blending precision handling with dramatic low‑level work. The crew demonstrated the aircraft’s distinctive tandem-rotor shape and impressive heavy-lift abilities through steep approaches, precise turns, and a steady hover. The routine balanced operational realism with showmanship, finishing with a strong departure that left an impression on the crowd.

CZECH AF SAR HELICOPTER DEMO

The Czech Air Force’s PZL‑Świdnik W‑3A Sokóls usually appear in solo search‑and‑rescue roles, but at RIAT they surprised the crowd with a two‑ship routine. The pair blended a combat search‑and‑rescue scenario with tightly choreographed, ballet‑like maneuvers, all set to the distinctive whine of their turboshafts. The inventive display earned the crew the RAFCTE Trophy for Best Flying Demonstration by an Overseas Participant.

FRECCI TRI COLRI

2025 marked the 65th anniversary of the Italian Air Force display team, Il Frecce Tricolori. After a difficult year that saw at least three aircraft damaged in an incident, the team made one of only two international appearances of the season at RIAT flying a nine‑ship formation. Despite the reduced number and a noticeably restrained commentary, the display retained all its color and spectacle, delivering the precision and visual drama the team is known for.

In summary, the flying program at RIAT 2025 captured the essence of the Tattoo — a seamless blend of heritage, frontline capability, and international collaboration. From the precision of the Red Arrows to rare appearances by reconnaissance and patrol aircraft and culminating in Captain Troels “TEO” Vang’s unforgettable F‑16 finale, the displays offered audiences a rich tapestry of spectacle and substance. Together, they reaffirmed RIAT’s standing as Europe’s most prestigious stage for military aviation, leaving the crowd inspired and eager for what the future will bring.

Harry Morrow, FHAM
Editor, Fly High Aviation Media

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The RIAT report is separated into three pages, page 1 contains the main story board, page 2 contains images of the flying display & page 3 contains images of the aircraft on static display, use the buttons below to navigate between pages, the links are also repeated at the bottom of each page.