This week’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) update revealed that several aircraft from Sweden, Germany, and France will be participating in the event in 2024 both in flying and static displays.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) newest member, the Swedish Air Force, will showcase two of its SAAB Gripens at the event. One of these aircraft will perform in the flying displays, while the other, a two-seater, will be on static display. The SAAB Gripen is a multi-role fighter jet with advanced technology and impressive capabilities, making it a crowd favourite at air shows.

In addition to the Swedish Air Force, the German Army will also return to RIAT with its NH90 helicopters. The NH90 is a medium-sized, multi-role military helicopter that can be used for a range of operations, including transportation, search and rescue, and combat. Both flying and static displays of the NH90 will be available for spectators to enjoy.

Moreover, a unique addition to the static display at RIAT will be the civilian Bréguet Alizé from the Alizé Marine Association. The Bréguet Alizé is a French-built anti-submarine and maritime patrol aircraft that was used by the Indian Navy until 1991. The aircraft is a rare sight at air shows, making it a special treat for aviation enthusiasts attending RIAT.

Breguet Br-1050 Alize

The Breguet Alize was a carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft used during the Cold War era. It was first flown in 1956 and was equipped with anti-ship capabilities as well. The Alize carried a variety of torpedoes and depth charges in an internal bomb bay and a number of missiles or rockets under the wings for surface combat missions. The aircraft had a crew of three, with the third crew member sitting sideways at the back of the cockpit. The primary sensors on the aircraft were a retractable radar dome and sonar buoys that were deployed from the undercarriage sponsons.

The Alize was operated by the French and Indian navies. In Indian service, the aircraft saw combat in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, where one Alize was shot down by an F-104 Starfighter. The type also saw combat in 1987, where one crippled a merchant ship off Sri Lanka. In French service, the Alize flew from shore-based facilities and aircraft carriers throughout the Cold War and underwent several upgrades throughout its service. These upgrades included the installation of the same radar system used in the Atlantique NG maritime patrol aircraft, modern defence systems, and GPS-based navigation systems.

The Alize aircraft was last used in combat during the 1999 NATO campaign in Kosovo and was officially retired in 2000. However, a group named Alizé Marine Association has restored Alize serial number 59 and made it airworthy again. Since 2013, the association has been showcasing the plane at airshows throughout France and Europe, giving aviation enthusiasts the opportunity to see this iconic aircraft in action.

Saab Gripen

The SAAB JAS-39 Gripen is a modern and advanced light-weight multi-role fighter aircraft developed by the Swedish aerospace company SAAB. Its purpose is to replace the earlier-generation Draken and Viggen aircraft with the Swedish Air Force. The Gripen is a single-engine aircraft powered by the Volvo RM12 turbofan engine, which is a licensed version of the General Electric F404 engine used in the original versions of the F/A-18 Hornet.

What makes the Gripen stand out is its ability to operate from roads and snow-covered runways that are less than 500 meters long. This feature gives it a unique advantage over other fighter jets, allowing it to operate from remote locations and in austere environments.

The JAS-39 Gripen has undergone several upgrades over the years, with the JAS-39A being the first production version delivered in 1993. The upgraded JAS-39C, equipped with air-to-air refuelling capability, improved avionics, and the ability to generate oxygen on board, was delivered in 2003. In recent years, a heavily upgraded version called the JAS-39E has been developed in partnership with Brazil. The JAS-39E features new avionics, a heavier payload capacity, a strengthened airframe and undercarriage, and is powered by the General Electric F414 engine, the same engine used in the Super Hornet.

The Gripen has been extensively used in various military operations, including NATO-led operations in Libya in 2011, where it flew over 650 combat missions. Currently, 204 JAS-39 A/B/C/D Gripens have been delivered to Sweden, with 28 leased to the Czech Republic and Hungary. Out of these, 98 are in active service with the Swedish Air Force, making it one of the most reliable and efficient fighter jets in the world.

As part of the celebrations of 75 years of NATO, Sweden will be sending a pair of Gripens to the Air Tattoo. These aircraft will be coming from the F21 Wing at Luleå Air Base. One of the Gripens, a JAS-39C, will be performing in the flying display, while the other Gripen, a JAS-39D, will be appearing in the static display. These aircraft are a testament to the Gripen's advanced technology and capabilities, and they represent one of the newest members of the NATO alliance.

NHIndustries NH90TTH

The NH90 is a multi-role helicopter developed in partnership between France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal. It is available in two main versions: the TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) and NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter). The NH90 first flew in 1995 and entered service in 2007. Currently, 13 nations operate an NH90 variant.

The German Army was the first NH90 customer to receive their aircraft, with deliveries starting in 2006. The German Army has ordered 82 NH90 TTH, which is used as a troop transport and can carry up to 20 fully equipped troops. The German Navy also operates two versions of the NH90 based on the NFH: the Sea Lion and Sea Tiger.

The NH90's forward and centre fuselages, fuel system, communications, and avionics control systems are produced in Germany, and the final assembly is split between six locations throughout Europe. This ensures that the NH90 is manufactured to the highest standards of precision engineering, quality control, and performance.

As part of the NATO 75th anniversary celebrations, the German Army is sending a pair of NH90s to RIAT 2024 to appear in both the flying and static display. Both helicopters will be provided by the Tactical Helicopter Regiment 10 (TrspHubschrRgt 10) based at Faßberg. These helicopters will showcase the NH90's capabilities, including its speed, manoeuvrability, and payload capacity.

During RIAT 2023, the NH90 display team won the MOOG Trophy as the overall winner of the Crew Challenge. This accolade is a testament to the skill, dedication, and professionalism of the NH90 display team, which is renowned for its precision flying and exciting displays. The NH90 is a versatile and reliable helicopter trusted by military forces around the world to deliver a wide range of missions, from troop transport to search and rescue and maritime surveillance to anti-submarine warfare.