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AV-8B Harrier II returns to dynamic display after 15 years!

Italy’s participation as this year’s Special Partner Nation reaches a whole new level. At the jubilee 25th NATO Days in Ostrava & 16th Czech Air Force Days, the Italian Navy will showcase two variants of the legendary Harrier II. Visitors can look forward not only to a static display of the two-seat training version TAV-8B, but also to a unique dynamic demonstration of the extraordinary capabilities of the modernized AV-8B+.

A Harrier flying display is an absolute rarity – the Czech audience last experienced it in 2010, when the aircraft made its farewell appearance with the Royal Air Force. Today, even within regular service, the Harrier flies only on a limited basis, making its public display truly exceptional. Spectators will thus have a rare opportunity to once again witness the maneuvers of the iconic aircraft that made the concept of vertical take-off and landing famous.

“To present two Harriers in two unique variants at our event, both in the air and on the ground, is extraordinary even by European standards. We are deeply grateful to Italy and its representatives for elevating the Special Partner Nation presentation to an entirely new level,” says Zbyněk Pavlačík, the event’s chief organizer. “It is especially gratifying that at this anniversary edition we can offer visitors such rare and special displays, underlining the international prestige of the event.”

In the dynamic demonstration, the Italian Navy will feature the modernized AV-8B Harrier II Plus, equipped with the APG-65 multi-role radar, advanced avionics, and a FLIR system for full day-and-night operations. The aircraft can carry up to five tons of armament – from air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles to laser-guided bombs and JDAM precision-guided munitions. Alongside it, the two-seat TAV-8B training version will be on static display.

The Harrier displays will be carried out by the Italian Navy’s elite GRUPAER (Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati) squadron. Established in 1991, the unit has taken part in numerous major foreign missions. Known as the “Wolves,” its Harrier pilots have seen combat deployments in Somalia, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and operations in Libya. Operating from the carriers Garibaldi and Cavour, Harriers have conducted reconnaissance, strike, and support missions, accumulating thousands of flight hours in combat conditions. GRUPAER’s presence at NATO Days brings not only a remarkable technical rarity but also a unique insight into more than three decades of operational experience with this legendary aircraft in allied missions. Today, however, the Harriers are gradually being retired and replaced by the modern F-35B, which inherits their vertical take-off and landing capability.

The Harrier stands as a symbol of technological innovation and proof that bold engineering concepts can succeed in practice. Although its era is nearing an end and only a handful of operators still keep it in active service, each of its flights is a reminder of the exceptional place it has earned in the history of military aviation. After 15 years, visitors to the jubilee 25th NATO Days will once again have the chance to witness this battle-proven legend with its unmistakable legacy.

See you at
NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days!