NATO Days 2025: Italy to showcase several military aircraft as Special Partner Nation

Italian Navy pilot poses in front of an AV-8B Harrier II Plus jump jet.

This year’s Special Partner Nation of NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days will present itself in grand style. Mošnov Airport will host equipment from three out of the four branches of the Italian Armed Forces, as well as representatives of the special forces. Visitors can look forward to a diverse display of Italian capabilities – from state-of-the-art multirole aircraft and legendary combat machines to ground equipment never before seen in the Czech Republic.

The main attraction of Italy’s static display will undoubtedly be the rare AV-8B Harrier II of the Italian Navy. This is one of the few aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing, enabling operations from smaller aircraft carriers and helicopter carriers, and its appearances in Europe have become a real rarity. The aircraft was last seen in the Czech Republic 15 years ago under the flag of the Royal Air Force – the presentation of the Italian variant will thus mark its absolute premiere in the country.

The Italian Air Force has prepared equally attractive demonstrations. Its static displays will feature the future of the Czech Air Force – the cutting-edge fifth-generation multirole fighter F-35 Lightning II – alongside the rare twin-engine Panavia Tornado combat aircraft and the legendary C-130J Super Hercules turboprop transport plane. The Air Force will also take to the skies with several flight demonstrations. The supersonic category will be represented by a dynamic display of the twin-engine multirole Eurofighter Typhoon, while the jet trainer Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master will showcase subsonic jet capabilities. A unique performance will also be delivered by the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, which, despite its considerable size, will surprise audiences with agility and energetic maneuvers.

“Italy’s defense industry has long ranked among the most advanced in the world, and this year’s role as Special Partner Nation of NATO Days is clear proof,” says Zbyněk Pavlačík, the event’s main organizer. “Thanks to its technological autonomy, Italy develops and manufactures much of its own equipment. Visitors will thus have a unique opportunity to witness a broad spectrum of Italian technical capabilities, which may undoubtedly serve as inspiration for other NATO member states – and at the same time see in action equipment rarely displayed outside of Italy.”

Source: NATO Days