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NATO Days in Ostrava mark 25 years with grand anniversary show

After a one-year break caused by devastating floods, NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days return this weekend to Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava for their 25th edition. To mark the jubilee of Europe’s largest security show, participants from 17 countries will join the celebrations, with Italy as the special partner nation.

The Italian Armed Forces have prepared presentations from three of their branches. A truly unique highlight will be the Navy’s legendary Harrier II aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capability, showcased in two variants. The flying display will feature the modernized AV-8B+, while the static display will include the rare two-seat TAV-8B. Not only will this aircraft be seen in Italian colors in the Czech Republic for the very first time, but given its gradual retirement from service, dynamic demonstrations have become so rare that the last time it appeared here was in 2010 under the British flag.

Italy’s presence will also include three dynamic displays featuring the multirole Eurofighter Typhoon, the advanced trainer M-346 Master, and the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft. On static display, visitors can look forward to the future of the Czech Air Force, the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II, as well as the C-130J Super Hercules—the most successful transport aircraft in history, returning after seven years—and the iconic Panavia Tornado.

Another highlight of the program will be the absolute premiere of an extended flypast by the U.S. Air Force’s B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber from the 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale. The bomber has only once performed at NATO Days before, in 2012. Air show stars will also include three aerobatic teams: the UK’s Red Arrows returning after three years, the Turkish Stars after twelve years, and Croatia’s Krila Oluje after seven years. Adding to this extraordinary lineup will be the RAF Falcons parachute team, making their first appearance in Mošnov in nine years.

For the very first time at NATO Days, special forces from two allied nations will appear simultaneously—Poland’s AGAT unit and Italy’s youngest special forces formation under the Air Force, the 17° Stormo Incursori. Ground forces will also bring rare premieres, including Italy’s C1 Ariete main battle tank and the B1 Centauro tank destroyer.

A hot novelty will be a dedicated exhibition focused on the modernization of the Czech Armed Forces, featuring both ground and air equipment either newly introduced or currently in acquisition. Among them: the H-1 Venom and Viper helicopters, the L-39 Skyfox, the Leopard 2A8 tank, the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, the SPYDER air defense system, the STARKOM jammer, the MADR radar, and the DPET passive surveillance system.

Conversely, this year may mark the farewell of the W-3A Sokol rescue helicopters, gradually being retired. Their display—combining aerobatics, rescue maneuvers, and precision flying—was recently named the best at the prestigious Royal International Air Tattoo. Lt. Col. Petr Šafařík and Maj. Antonín Petrů of the 243rd Squadron will present this unique act. For the first time, the new H-1 helicopters will also perform in action, supporting the 7th Mechanized Brigade alongside Leopard 2A4 tanks and BVP-2 infantry fighting vehicles. The Czech Air Force’s new display pilot, Capt. Jan Ratz, will make his NATO Days debut in the JAS-39C Gripen. Traditional favorites such as the Mi-171Š helicopter will also appear, supporting a paratrooper operation of the 53rd Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Regiment.

Germany, one of the event’s most loyal partners, will stage a large-scale presentation, bringing three of its four armed forces branches. Its dynamic premiere will include the rare Tiger attack helicopter, last shown here on the ground in 2016. The German Air Force will also display the Eurofighter Typhoon, NH90 TTH helicopter, and A400M Atlas transport. Static highlights will include a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker, an allied A330 MRTT, and two C-130J Super Hercules from German and Canadian forces.

Slovakia’s new F-16 fighters will make their long-awaited international debut with a formation flyover, while solo displays will feature the French Rafale, Slovenia’s PC-9M Hudournik, and for the first time, AERO Vodochody’s L-39 Skyfox.

As always, domestic and foreign armed forces will be joined by national security services. Visitors can expect a joint dynamic demonstration in which the Czech Police Intervention Unit, in cooperation with Poland’s AGAT special forces and a police helicopter, will free hostages from terrorists. Other highlights include a simulated attack on a Prison Service convoy, crowd control by Ostrava’s canine and mounted police, and an elite Customs Service unit intervening against dangerous criminals together with Slovakia’s Financial Crime Response Unit. Firefighters, paramedics, the Red Cross, and many others will also be present.

The full list of equipment at the jubilee 25th NATO Days in Ostrava & 16th Czech Air Force Days can be found here.

See you at
NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days 2025!