RIAT 2025 AIR SHOW IN GREAT BRITAIN

Irfan Bhatti

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) totally rocked the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025 in the UK! They won two major awards: the *"Spirit of the Meet Trophy"* for their JF-17 Thunder Block-III and the *"Concours d'Elegance Trophy"* for their C-130H Hercules. The JF-17 Thunder impressed everyone with its stunning livery and non-stop transcontinental flight from Pakistan to the UK, made possible by mid-air refueling. The C-130H Hercules, themed "Eyes in the Skies," wawed judges with its exceptional technical maintenance and visual appeal.  This victory is a huge moment of national pride for Pakistan, showcasing their aviation excellence on the global stage. The PAF's win also highlights their growing reputation as a disciplined, modern, and competitive air force.  #latestglobalinsights #riat2025 #paf #jf17thander

Transcript

00:00On its debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo R.I.T., in the United Kingdom, Pakistan's

00:17JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jet, which was used against India during the military

00:21clashes in May, won the Spirit of the Meat trophy.

00:24R.I.T. is regarded as one of the largest military airshows in the world.

00:30It has been running for over 50 years and powers the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

00:35The last time the JF-17 made an appearance at this airshow in its Block I and Block II configurations

00:42before 2025 was in 2010.

00:45According to the Dawn newspaper, Pakistan state broadcaster PTV stated that the Pakistan Air

00:50Force received the Spear of the Meat trophy for its striking livery and incredible journey

00:58from Pakistan with non-stop air-to-air refueling.

01:02These awards were given in recognition of the aircraft's excellent flying and technical

01:05skills, it stated.

01:07Since then, the Pakistani media have all agreed that the JF-17 Block III is Pakistan's advanced

01:14defense technology.

01:15The JF-17 Block III's participation in R.I.T. alongside the C-130 has been extensively documented.

01:24The two JF-17s made their longest ever flight with air-to-air refueling from Turkey to the

01:30UK with assistance from the PAFL 78MP Midas, another extremely rare aircraft.

01:36The Concours d'Elegance Trophy was also presented to the C-130H Hercules.

01:43Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber, Sadhu, congratulated the PAF contingent that received

01:49accolades at R.I.T.

01:51Our professionalism, technical expertise, and unwavering pursuit of excellence are a testament

01:56to our winning these prestigious awards, he said.

01:59The Pakistan Air Force has always been known for hoisting the nation's flag high.

02:04At R.I.T., the PAF JF-17 Block III received worldwide recognition just two months after

02:12Pakistan deployed the aircraft in the May 7-10 conflict with India.

02:17Notably, Pakistani state television has taken advantage of the situation to emphasize the

02:21PAF aircraft's capabilities, claiming once more that the service shot down multiple Indian

02:27aircraft.

02:28Following the recent conflict between Pakistan and India, aviation enthusiasts and defense

02:33observers eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Pakistan Air Force's JF-17 Thunder Block

02:38III.

02:39This excitement can be felt throughout the United Kingdom.

02:43Due to its combat-tested capabilities and operational excellence, the aircraft's appearance at R.I.T.

02:49is highly anticipated by the aerospace and defense community.

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