
RIAT 2022 - Asia
Bahrain

Japan

Jordan


Korea

Kuwait
For the first time since 1993, when the nation sent 2 F/A-18C Hornets on delivery from the USA, the Kuwaiti Air Force attended the show, bringing along a shiny new 2-seat Eurofighter Typhoon straight from the factory in Italy. The aircraft was delivered to Kuwait in late September 2022. It's always great seeing fighters from rarer nations, so this was an awesome addition to an already great line-up. Kuwait has 28 Typhoons on order, with 6 having been delivered already. The commander of the 7th Squadron flew the aircraft to the show, 1 of 2 squadrons that are set to be receiving the aircraft, the other being the 18th Squadron. 
Oman
Another Asian regular at RIAT is the Royal Air Force of Oman, and like other nations, their participation tends to see them bring a C-130H Hercules. For 2022 however, they sent an Airbus/CASA C-295MPA Persuader, MPA meaning Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The Omanis operate 4 Persuader aircraft with 2 Squadron out of RAFO Muscat, or Muscat International Airport. A new type for me, the Persuader is certainly an aircraft I wouldn't mind seeing again. In the static park, the aircraft was parked in line with other nations' maritime surveillance aircraft.

Qatar


12 Squadron out of RAF Coningsby currently trains Qatari pilots on the Eurofighter Typhoon. This is in support of the 24 Typhoons that the country has purchased from the UK. The RAF/QEAF sent a single 12 Squadron aircraft, which was aptly placed between both Hawks, a photo opportunity that I typically missed! 12 Squadron fly 8 Typhoon aircraft. At the time of writing this, all 8 aircraft are currently 4 months into their 6-month deployment to Qatar as part of Project Thariyat. They also provided Air Policing throughout the FIFA World Cup and are supporting the QEAF as they stand up their first Typhoon squadron.
