Red Arrows Hawks will stay longer

On 30 March 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that they will invest GBP695 million over the next 11 years to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T2 training aircraft and the Hawk T1s operated by the RAF Aerobatics Team Red Arrows.

According to Jeremy Quin, Defence Procurement Minister, “This contract will provide aircraft support to maintain the delivery of pilot training and the Red Arrows long into the future. It underlines our commitment to providing the highest quality training and aircraft to the future pilots of our Armed Forces.”

The UK Military Flying Training System (MFTS) operates a fleet of 28 Hawk T2s with the 4 Flying Training School (FTS) at RAF Valley. The Red Arrows have their home base at RAF Scampton, but will move to RAF Waddington in the near future. All remaining Hawk T1 fast jet trainers have been withdrawn from use on 31 March 2022.

The Hawk Integrated Support Solution comprises of two separate contracts placed by the MoD's procurement arm Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). These contracts will provide support for Hawk T2 and the Red Arrows Hawk T1. The Hawk contract with BAE Systems (BAES), valued at GBP590 million, will cover all Hawk T2 airframe support elements. This work will ensure the Hawk aircraft continue as global ambassadors for the UK. In addition, a separate GBP105 million contract for engine support has been placed with Rolls-Royce.

Photo by Hans van Herk