Even with the Eurofighter's arrival, the Panavia Tornado remains very much key to the Luftwaffe's front-line capabilities. Just two wings still fly the type, these having been re-organised recently as Taktischen Luftwaffengeschwader (Tactical Air Wings) - the aircraft at RIAT 2014 will hail from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 'Immelmann', which primarily operates the Tornado Recce and ECR (Electronic Combat Reconnaissance) variants. The latter were taken on last year from the disbanded Jagdbombergeschwader (Fighter Bomber Wing) 32, and perform the suppression of enemy air defences, or SEAD, role. Germany's reconnaissance and ECR jets were heavily engaged in Afghanistan until 2010.

Photo credit: Ben Dunnell