The Royal Air Force (RAF) will operate the Red Arrows aerobatic team with seven instead of nine jets for the majority of displays this year, citing the need to preserve the ageing Hawk T1 fleet.
The full nine-aircraft formation will appear on only two occasions: the King’s birthday flypast in June and the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence celebrations in July.
The Hawk T1 has been flown by the Red Arrows since 1980. The fleet is due to be retired in March 2030. Spare parts have become less readily available as the aircraft ages.
The RAF said the reduction to seven jets for standard displays would support sustainable management of the fleet and prepare the team for a transition to a future aircraft type. The Red Arrows previously flew with seven aircraft in 2012 and 2022.
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The team does not engage in combat operations but is used to demonstrate RAF capabilities and support recruitment. The annual cost of maintaining the fleet stands at £27.7 million, according to former defence procurement minister Maria Eagle. At least 40 displays are scheduled for this year.
Efforts to find a replacement for the Hawk T1 have encountered difficulties. Aeralis, a British aerospace company developing a domestically built advanced jet trainer, entered administration last week. Administrators cited sustained cashflow pressure after delays to the UK Defence Investment Plan and geopolitical factors affecting funding.
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Several other manufacturers are competing to supply the next trainer. Boeing, BAE Systems and Saab are jointly offering the T-7A Red Hawk, a jet already selected by the US Air Force as its new trainer. Leonardo and other companies have also expressed interest.
The Ministry of Defence said no final procurement decisions have been made. The UK government’s Strategic Defence Review has recommended replacing the Hawk T1 with a cost-effective advanced trainer jet, with preference for British businesses where possible.
