The 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) provided an outstanding platform for Marshall Aerospace to forge new relationships while continuing to reinforce existing ones.
Taking place from Friday, 18 July through Sunday, 20 July, the world’s largest military airshow drew an estimated 150,000 visitors to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Marshall’s hospitality chalet was the venue for a packed schedule of highly productive meetings with senior military, industry and government representatives, underscoring the company’s pivotal role in supporting global tactical airlift operations.
Romanian Air Force and Romaero SA
Lt. Gen. Leonard-Gabriel Baraboi, Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff, visited Marshall's chalet on the first day of the show, shortly after the recent announcement of a new military MRO collaboration with Romaero SA, a leading European aerospace maintenance and manufacturing specialist. Lt. Gen. Baraboi met both senior leadership from Marshall and Romaero to discuss joint plans for supporting the growth and modernisation of the Romanian Air Force’s legacy C-130 fleet from 2026 onward.
More information on our collaboration with Romaero
Global military airlift operators
The three-day event also served as an ideal backdrop for the Marshall team to share updates with operators of the C-130 Hercules and other tactical airlift platforms, while gaining a better understanding of their maintenance and engineering requirements.
We were delighted to host a truly global mix of delegations representing air forces and operators from Australia, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, NATO, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United States.
Discover our maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities
Government and diplomatic representatives
Marshall was honoured to host a range of senior diplomatic and government figures over the weekend, including:
- His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom
- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, current Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff and incoming Chief of the Defence Staff
- Commodore Richard Whalley, Head of Exports and Sales at UK Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)
“RIAT has once again proven to be a valuable forum for engaging with fleet operators and deepening our understanding of their requirements and operational priorities.
“Our conversations over the weekend will help inform how we provide modernisation and readiness for operators around the world.”
Bob Baxter
CEO, Marshall Aerospace
RIAT Techno Zone
RIAT 2025 didn’t just treat the public to stunning aerial displays and close-up encounters with aircraft: as ever, the event’s dedicated Techno Zone offered a massive array of interactive STEM exhibits designed to inspire a new generation to enter the world of aviation and engineering.
This year, Marshall teamed up with The Air League, the UK's leading aviation and aerospace charity, to host hands-on activities including the ever-popular rivet art creation and dog tag stamping. Several Marshall apprentices volunteered throughout the weekend, helping to run the stand while sharing their love of aerospace with thousands of young visitors.
Marshall Aerospace CEO Bob Baxter and Director of MRO Services and Solutions Chris Dare both visited the Techno Zone stand on Sunday, meeting our apprentices and trying their hand at creating their own personalised dog tags.
