Lincoln MP Hamish Falconer 'committed' to keeping Red Arrows
Lincoln MP Hamish Falconer has said he is "committed" to keeping the Red Arrows going.The iconic aircraft is used by Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team which was established in 1964 and has completed almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries.The planes, based at RAF Waddington, cost almost £80,000 a day to run and their future was raised by Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty in Parliament last month.Maria Eagle, the Minister for Defence Procurement, responded by stating the Red Arrows Hawk T1 aircraft would go out of service in March 2030 and the annual cost to maintain the aircraft was £27.7m.
In an appearance on The Hotseat on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Mr Falconer was asked whether the aircraft should continue after 2030.He said: "I'm totally committed to [the Red Arrows] and have taken this up with the Ministry of Defence."They assure me of their total commitment to the Red Arrows and they will set out [plans for] the new planes shortly."Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in Parliament on 5 December, Ms Eagle said: "A decision on the production, sustainment and replacement of the aircraft will not be taken until after the strategic defence review is completed."Mr Falconer, who has been Lincoln MP for seven months, added: "They have a huge value, there aren't that many aerial acrobatic teams in the world."It's about demonstrating British excellence and driving that through the British armed forces."I think the Red Arrows are more than worth it."
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