Secondary theme of RIAT 2023 was the 100 Years of the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) founded on 28 March 1923 as an independent service by King Vittorio Emanuele III of the Kingdom of Italy and dubbed Regia Aeronautica. Following establishment of the Italian Republic on 18 June 1946, the Regia Aeronautica changed name became Aeronautica Militare.
A very large ground exhibition area was specifically set up to show most of the Italian Air Force operated aircraft, with the exception of the F-35A Lightning. Ample space was also given to a representative of around twenty historic aircraft, which flew with the Italian roundels in a more- or less-recent past. In the daily flying programme took the air the HH-139B of the 15th Wing, an F.2000A and an M-346A with the insignia of the Test Unit (Reparto Sperimentale Volo) and with the tail painted to commemorate the 100's Anniversary. With a small disappointment for the public, the Frecce Tricolori did not participate to RIAT 2023, because - to worthily celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the AM - it was preferred to create a calendar with air displays and overflights only in Italy.

                   

                   

                   

                   

                   

                   

Last note concerns the winners of the numerous prizes that are offered by the various RIAT juries, among which we remember

        * The RUAG Trophy (awarded to the overall winner of the Concours d'Elegance)
                SIAI-Marchetti U-208A - Italian Air Force/60° Stormo
        * The Spirit of the Meet Trophy (awarded to the participant who embodies the spirit of the Air Tattoo)
                The Italian Air Force & Italian Historic Aircraft Group
        *The RAFCTE Trophy (best flight demonstration by a foreign participant)
                AH-129D - Italian Army Aviation/49° Gruppo Squadroni

Next year the Air Tattoo will return on 19th, 20th and 21st July and will celebrate 50 years of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.