Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets arrive in UK for RIAT airshow
July 18, 2025
Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets have arrived in the UK to take part in the prestigious Royal International Air Tattoo air show (RIAT). The Pakistani fighters arrived with a transport and refueling aircraft.
Pakistani JF-17s arrive in UK ahead of RIAT airshow
The Pakistani Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on X (formerly Twitter) that JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets had arrived at Royal Air Force Base Fairford in the United Kingdom ahead of RIAT. These jets are part of the Pakistani Air Force’s participation in the airshow and “underscore Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to showcasing its professional excellence, operational capability and the indigenous strength of its aviation industry.”
According to the statement, the Thunders flew to the United Kingdom while being refueled by RAF Ilyushin Il-78 aerial refueling tanker aircraft. They were also joined by a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The C-130 appears with a special livery reading “Eyes in the Skies.”
The news release said the contribution is aiming to foster “mutual understanding, sharing aviation experiences and enhancing PAF’s image as a modern, technologically advanced air force contributing to global peace and security.” The JF-17s belong to the PAF 8 Squadron “Haiders.”
PAF CONTINGENT ARRIVES IN UK TO PARTICIPATE IN RIAT-2025 pic.twitter.com/pXO2Bpxmwp
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) July 16, 2025
The press release also referenced the short but intense conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025. The conflict saw Indian Rafael, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and possibly other fighter jets exchange fire with Pakistani fighter jets, including the Chinese-made J-10C, beyond visual range.
It’s unclear what role the JF-17s had in the conflict. Both sides claimed victory in the aerial battles and strikes. Both countries claim to have shot down each other’s fighters.
Royal International Air Tattoo air show 2025
The RIAT is a three-day air show that’s been running for 50 years. It is held at Fairford in the Cotswolds of England and features hundreds of aircraft from around 30 countries. The aircraft is attracting a mixture of military and civilian aircraft.
Civilian aircraft include vintage military aircraft like Hawker Hunters and Supermarine Spitfires. The Royal Air Force is also bringing vintage aircraft like Supermarine Spitfires.
Aircraft making an appearance from the Royal Air Force include Airbus A400M Atlas strategic transports, Typhoon Eurofighters, Boeing C-17 Globemaster strategic transports, Boeing Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, and much more.
The Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder
The JF-17 fighter jet is the result of a joint Chinese and Pakistani project to produce a low-cost multirole fighter for the Pakistani Air Force. China designates the aircraft as the FC-1 Xiaolong.
Most of the aircraft’s inner workings, like avionics and flight control systems, come from China, while Pakistan produces most of the airframe. Pakistan also carries out the final assembly of the jets.
The JF-17 is a source of national pride in Pakistan, where it is billeted as a “4.5 generation multirole fighter.” Block III variants come with EASA Radar and Long Range BVR. JF-21s have been exported to or are on order by Myanmar, Azerbaijan, and Nigeria. The Chinese Air Force has not purchased them. In 2024, Pakistan also displayed the JF-17 at the Bahrain International Airshow in an effort to drive sales.
According to FlightGlobal’s 2025 report, the Pakistani Air Force has 44 F-16 Fighting Falcons, 20 Chengdu J-20C fighters, 72 aging Chengdu J-7 fighters (based on the Soviet MiG-21), 69 Mirage IIIs, 90 Mirage 5s, and 123 JF-17 Thunders in inventory.
