The United States Air Force led a commanding presence with the F-35A Lightning II, F-15E Strike Eagle, C-5M Super Galaxy. None captured public fascination more than the U-2S Dragon Lady, based at Fairford itself, which performed an elegant low-level pass— a near-mythical aircraft descending from its usual stratospheric domain to salute the crowd. Among European allies, the French Armée de l’ Air et de l’ Espace fielded an E-3F Sentry and the still in front-line service. The Portuguese Merlin helicopter, displaying with quiet poise, reminded onlookers that heavy-lift and search-and-rescue are as critical to airpower as speed and noise. From the Middle East came some of the show’ s biggest draws. The Qatar Emiri Air Force C-17 Globemaster III filled the sky with its mass and grace, representing strategic reach and multinational cooperation. The Royal Jordanian Falcons, flying four bright red Extra 330LXs, performed with
French Navy a Bréguet Atlantique 2, the latter giving a graceful maritime-patrol demonstration with its bomb bay open to reveal a dummy Exocet missile. The display perfectly embodied the year’ s theme: observation, intelligence and control. The Czech Air Force with their JAS-39 and the German Air Force Tornado IDS could be admired on the static display. The Tornado, a vintage authority— one of the few remaining swing-wing aircraft
elegance and precision, tracing ribbons of smoke in front of the crowd.
Global Participation RIAT 2025 was notable for its diversity. The Egyptian Air Force made its debut with a rare Antonov An-74T Coaler, its over-wing engines and rugged shape drawing constant attention on the static line. The Pakistan Air Force returned with a strong
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