RIAT 2024: Aircraft from Canda, Slovakia and the Netherlands announced

The Royal International Air Tattoo, one of the most prestigious airshows in the world, has recently announced the addition of new aircraft to its static display for the upcoming event. The organizers have shared that the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Slovak Air Force, and the Royal Netherlands Air Force will be participating in the event, showcasing their impressive aircraft.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force will be sending four F-16AM Fighting Falcons to take part in the 'Viper Line' static display, where they will join other F-16's to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the aircraft. This will be a unique opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to observe these agile fighters up close, as it will be the last time the Dutch F-16s will be taking part in the event before they are retired from service. In addition to the F-16s, the RNLAF will also send one of their NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopters from 860 Squadron to the static display.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM

The organizers have also announced that the Royal Canadian Air Force will be contributing a CC-295 Kingfisher to the static display. This aircraft will be making its first appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo, and with its bright yellow colour scheme, it is sure to stand out. The organizers have also hinted that more Canadian contributions to the event will be announced soon, along with details on the planned theme ground display marking their Centennial.

Lastly, the Slovak Air Force will be providing one of their C-27J Spartan transport aircraft for static display, which will be joining the NATO 75th Anniversary line-up. This military transport aircraft will be a fascinating addition to the static display, allowing visitors to witness the impressive capabilities of this aircraft up close.

This year's Royal International Air Tattoo event is set to take place over three days at the RAF Fairford, on Friday 19 July, Saturday 20 July, and Sunday 21 July 2024. The event will provide aviation enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to witness some of the world's most impressive aircraft up close and learn more about their capabilities.

If you're interested in attending the event, you can visit airtatto.com to learn more about it and purchase your tickets.

CC-295 Kingfisher (RCAF Copyright)

CC-295 Kingfisher

The Airbus C-295, formerly known as CASA, is a medium transport aircraft that was developed from the CN-235 medium transport. Originally, the CN-235 was created for the Spanish and Indonesian Air Forces. However, the C-295 has a stretched airframe and more powerful engines, providing a 50% increase in cargo-carrying capability compared to its predecessor.

The C-295 made its first flight in November 1997 and has since been ordered by over 35 militaries worldwide. In addition to its primary transport role, the C-295 has been developed for various other functions, including maritime patrol, search and rescue, AWACS, gunship, and aerial refuelling tanker.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) currently operates an ageing fleet of CC-115 Buffalo and C-130H Hercules aircraft to support Transport and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations over the vast areas of the Canadian wilderness. These aircraft have been in service for many years and are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. Therefore, in 2019, the RCAF decided to replace its ageing fleet with the C-295 and ordered 16 examples. Deliveries of the aircraft to the RCAF began in September 2020, and in Canadian service, the type is referred to as the CC-295 Kingfisher.

As part of the celebration of their 100th anniversary, the RCAF will be sending a single CC-295 Kingfisher for static display. The aircraft, which is painted in a glossy yellow color, will be displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT). This event will mark the first time a CC-295 Kingfisher has appeared at RIAT, and it will give aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see the aircraft up close.

Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM

F-16AM Fighting Falcon

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is an incredibly versatile and capable combat aircraft that is currently the most widely used in NATO. Originally designed as a day fighter for the United States Air Force, the F-16 has been in production for almost five decades, with over 4,500 units built. Despite its first flight taking place in 1974, the fighter remains in production to this day and has undergone numerous upgrades and modifications over the years.

The F-16 is a highly capable multi-role fighter that has been adapted to suit a wide variety of missions and roles. It is equipped with a powerful and advanced AESA radar that is based on the one installed in the F-35, as well as a new cockpit and advanced computer systems that provide enhanced situational awareness and mission effectiveness. These features, combined with the fighter's exceptional speed, agility, and manoeuvrability, make it a formidable weapon in the hands of skilled pilots.

The Netherlands were one of the countries that adopted the F-16 and originally requested 213 units to be built under license by SABCA in Belgium. Over the years, the fleet has gradually decreased in size as it has been replaced by the F-35A. However, the F-16s that are still in service have been updated to the F-16AM MLU standard, which includes an array of advanced features such as the Link 16 datalink, Helmet Sight, Targeting Pods, new computers, and the ability to use the Aim-9X Sidewinder. These upgrades provide a full multi-role capability, making the fighter even more effective and versatile.

To celebrate the F-16's 50th anniversary, the Royal Netherlands Air Force will exhibit four of its F-16s from 312 Squadron at Volkel AB for static display. This will be their final appearance, as the RNLAF is retiring its F-16s later this year. The F-16s on display will be from the final F-16 unit in the Netherlands and will showcase the fighter's impressive capabilities and long and distinguished service history.

Royal Netherlands Air Force NH90 NFH

NH90 NFH

The NH90 helicopter, which is now part of Airbus Helicopters, was initially developed by NHIndustries, a conglomerate comprising France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and later Portugal. This multi-purpose aircraft is available in two primary versions - the TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) and the NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter). The NH90 project was initiated in the 1980s and aimed to replace ageing fleets of transport and anti-submarine warfare helicopters operated by European militaries.

After several years of development, the NH90 made its first flight in 1995. However, it took another decade before the aircraft was ready for service, with the first operational unit being the French Navy in 2007. Today, 13 countries operate the NH90 in various roles, including troop transport, search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime patrol.

The Netherlands was one of the founding members of the NH90 project and played a crucial role in its development. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) was the first to order the NFH version, which is flown on behalf of the Navy. The RNLAF's fleet of helicopters can be deployed on board destroyers or used as troop transport, in addition to being used for anti-submarine warfare. The entire NFH fleet is based at De Kooy, a naval air station in the north of the country.

As part of the NATO 75th celebrations, 806 Squadron from De Kooy will showcase one of their NH90 helicopters for static display at this year's Air Tattoo. This will be an excellent opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to witness the capabilities of this remarkable helicopter up close.

Slovak Air Force C-27J

C-27J Spartan

The Leonardo C-27J Spartan is a highly capable medium tactical transport aircraft that has been developed as a modernized and more powerful version of the Aeritalia G.222, which was known as the C-27A in the USA. This aircraft is the result of a joint venture between Alenia Aermacchi (now part of Leonardo) and Lockheed Martin, which worked together to create a plane that featured the same engines as the C-130J Hercules, as well as a modern glass cockpit.

The C-27J Spartan first flew in 1999, and deliveries began in 2006 to the Italian Air Force. Since then, it has been delivered to over 15 other nations, including Australia and the USA. The aircraft's capabilities make it ideal for a range of tasks, including cargo and troop transport, airdrops, and humanitarian aid.

Slovakia is one of the nations that operate the C-27J Spartan, with two aircraft serving as troop and cargo transports. These planes were ordered in 2014 and are flown by the 46th Wing, which is based at Malacky Air Base. The airbase has recently undergone modernization by the US military to enable it to be used for the forward deployment of assets into the region.

As part of the celebration of 75 years of NATO, Slovakia plans to showcase one of their C-27J planes at this year's Air Tattoo. The aircraft previously appeared at RIAT in 2022 and will be on static display for the public to view. The C-27J Spartan is an impressive aircraft, and its presence at the Air Tattoo is sure to be a highlight of the event.