EXCLUSIVE: Sources say defence chiefs are favouring a predominately US-made aircraft for the Red Arrows.
The iconic Red Arrows fly the British flag in performances across the world (Image: Getty)
The Red Arrows could take to the skies in a foreign built jet for the first time after the Government’s “dither and delay” in selecting a replacement aircraft tipped the balance towards US manufacturers. The idea of the Royal Air Force’s iconic display team performing in an aircraft from overseas has been branded “nonsense”.
But sources claim defence chiefs being inherently biased towards major US firms, as they are seen as lower risk, and the lengthy and costly selection process imposed by Labour to replace the ageing Hawk jet currently used is likely to sideline British aircraft makers. Insiders say a protracted competition is seen as likely, with the firm behind the only UK-designed-and-built option compelled to seek opportunities abroad as a result. The Red Arrows, who fly the British flag in performances across the world, are seen as one of the UK’s strongest soft power assets.
Since being founded in 1964, the Red Arrows have always flown British planes (Image: Getty)
Mike Turner, former head of BAE Systems which built the Hawks, said the prospect of the Red Arrows using a foreign aircraft is “absolutely nonsense”.
Andy Wyatt, a former Red Arrows pilot, agreed with this, saying: “Whenever and wherever we flew, the Red Arrows carried more than smoke trails and precision formation aerobatics across the sky. We carried a message.
“As pilots, we were acutely aware that we represented the very best of the Royal Air Force, but also something broader: British engineering, British innovation and British confidence on the world stage.”
The Red Arrows perform across the world every year (Image: Getty)
He added: “Flying a British-built aircraft has always been a source of pride, not nostalgia. It sends a clear message to allies, partners and potential customers that the UK still designs, builds and believes in its own aerospace future.
“Airshows may be theatre, but they are also soft power, trade promotion and national branding rolled into one.”
The Hawk T1s – currently flown by the Red Arrows – are due to go out of service in March 2030.
The ageing jets have been flown by the pilots at displays since 1980.
The requirement for new advanced jets was detailed in last year’s Strategic Defence Review.
The Red Arrows have flown the Hawk T1 since 1980, but the jet is due to go out of service soon (Image: Getty)
The updated Hawk T2s are used to train military fast jet pilots but have faced availability, reliability and engine issues.
They are not due to go out of service until 2040 but the head of the Armed Forces previously said he would like to see them replaced sooner.
One source said defence chiefs are favouring the Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk, in collaboration with BAE Systems.
An aircraft built by Italian manufacturer Leonardo is another option. The Aermacchi M-346 jet was originally developed in collaboration with Russian firm Yakovlev.
The only UK-designed-and-built contender is the Aeralis jet which would be manufactured in locations across England and completed at a facility in western Scotland. The Bristol-based firm is yet to build a prototype.
A decision on replacing the Hawk has been repeatedly delayed, but with the ageing jets increasingly unreliable, an insider has confirmed mandarins remain insistent on starting an expensive competition.
The Red Arrows are famous for their blue, white and red vapour trails (Image: Getty)
With this yet to start it is believed Aeralis could look to move operations out of the UK amid the continued uncertainty of the programme.
This would leave only foreign options for replacing the Hawk jets available to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which is yet to publish its delayed Defence Investment Plan.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: “This is yet another example of the dire impact Labour’s dither and delay is having on our defence industry.
“The Defence Investment Plan, promised for autumn 2025, has still not been published leaving procurement in the MoD effectively on hold.
“Labour are too busy dealing with their self-inflicted scandals, like Peter Mandelson, to actually govern the country.”
It comes amid warnings British manufacturers, particularly small or medium enterprises, have been edged out of the tender process, with red tape and slow procedures identified as two sticking points.
The Red Arrows are an important soft power for the UK (Image: Getty)
There were also warnings of a potential capability gap in the Hawk which could have a major impact on the training of Britain’s fast jet pilots.
Mr Turner said he “doubts” the Red Arrows’ Hawks could be replaced in four years’ time, unless officials “got on it quickly”.
This was echoed by Professor Sir Iain Gray, formerly of BAE Systems and ex-managing director of Airbus UK, who said Britain will need to “move fast”.
He said the Hawk has been “one of our greatest global exports”, adding: “We’ve not developed our own indigenous aircraft for quite some time and I think we’re losing skills and losing the capability to do that, and that weakens our position in global collaboration projects.”
Andrew Kinniburgh, director general of the trade association Make UK Defence, said: “Even if you ordered it today, you would struggle to bridge the gap between now and 2030.
“There’s a real imperative on that side of things to replace the Red Arrows or they’ll cease to fly.”
Former RAF fighter pilot and flying instructor Craig Penrice added: “It would be a crime if we rushed into buying a foreign airplane purely to keep the Red Arrows going in the stopgap period.”
Robin Southwell, chairman of Aeralis, said: “We have every confidence that our proposal, backed by five years of design and development at no upfront cost to the taxpayer, will succeed — delivering secure, skilled and long-term employment from Gosport in Hampshire to Prestwick in Ayrshire and in other locations across the whole of the UK for years to come.
“This is because Aeralis offers the only UK designed and built option which needs nothing other than a green light.”
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “Our joint approach brings together three leading global defence primes at the heart of UK combat air capability and offers the UK a ‘next generation’ cost‑effective, capable and reliable solution that protects sovereign industrial skills, meets RAF requirements, and delivers economic and social benefits to the country.”
A spokesperson for Leonardo said: “We will work with UK industrial partners to provide a compelling, UK low-risk solution to the RAF Advanced Jet Training requirement based on our proven and highly successful International Flying Training System in Decimomannu, Sardinia.”
In response, the MoD said: “The fast jet trainer programme is ongoing and no final procurement decisions have been made.
“More broadly, this Government is backing British jobs, British industry and British innovators. Since July 2024, we have signed 1,100 major contracts, with 84% of our annual spend going to British companies.”
