The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will be showcasing its state-of-the-art JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025 in the United Kingdom. The airshow, one of the world’s most prestigious military air displays, will take place from July 18th to 20th at Royal Air Force Base Fairford in Gloucestershire.

A PAF contingent, including the JF-17 Thunder Block-III jets and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, has already arrived in the UK. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the deployment highlights the PAF’s commitment to demonstrating its “professional excellence, operational capability and the indigenous strength of its aviation industry.”

The ISPR further emphasized the operational significance of the deployment, noting that the JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighters successfully conducted mid-air refueling operations en route to the UK with the assistance of a PAF IL-78 aerial refueling tanker. This, the ISPR stated, demonstrated “PAF’s long-range operational capabilities and the proficiency of its air and ground crew in conducting extended operations beyond national borders.”

The ISPR also described the JF-17 Block-III as an “EASA Radar and Long Range BVR equipped 4.5 generation multi-role fighter aircraft which is capable of undertaking a wide variety of combat missions, bolstering airpower application in the face of contemporary challenges thereby strengthening national security.” The statement also noted the considerable anticipation surrounding the jets’ arrival in the UK, particularly given recent events: “There is a palpable sense of enthusiasm across the United Kingdom following the recent Pakistan-India conflict as aviation enthusiasts and defence observers were eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder Block-III.”

The PAF’s participation at RIAT is expected to be a major highlight of the airshow, given the JF-17’s combat-proven capabilities and global attention.