Pakistan Air Force Fighter Jets Shine at RIAT 2025
The JF-17 Thunder Block-III's debut at RIAT 2025 marks a significant milestone for Pakistan's aviation industry, demonstrating its capabilities and strengths in the global arena, and showcasing the country's ability to develop and manufacture advanced fighter jets.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has successfully landed at the Royal Air Force Base Fairford in the UK to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025, showcasing its airpower capabilities with JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
The JF-17 Thunder Block-III aircraft demonstrated its advanced features, including cutting-edge EASA radar and beyond-visual-range (BVR) capabilities, during the long-range flight operation. The PAF's C-130 Hercules has been painted in a special livery reflecting RIAT 2025's theme, "Eyes in the Skies." The event highlights Pakistan Air Force's commitment to showcasing its professional excellence, operational capability, and the indigenous strength of its aviation industry.
The JF-17 Thunder Block-III, a multirole 4.5-generation fighter jet, is participating for the first time in the event, which is the world's largest military airshow. The aircraft has reportedly been used alongside Chinese-made J-10C jets in recent Pakistan-India hostilities, drawing global attention to its combat capabilities. The JF-17 Thunder Block-III executed successful Air-to-Air Refuelling operations en route to the UK, demonstrating PAF's long-range operational capabilities.
The participation of Pakistan Air Force in RIAT 2025 underscores its commitment to showcasing professional excellence, operational capabilities, and the indigenous strength of Pakistan's aviation industry, making it a significant event for the country's air force and its reputation globally.