Latest news with #HawkT1
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Red Arrows 'are running out of jets': Iconic display team are forced to cannibalise old planes for parts as shows come under threat from shortages
The Red Arrows are reportedly running out of jets, forcing the team to pick apart old planes for spare parts. The iconic fleet has been slashed from 26 working aircraft earlier this year to 17 today, with a further four in so-called deep maintenance and unavailable to fly. And this number could plummet further to just six planes within three years, placing their famous 'diamond nine' display under threat. It all means engineers are hurriedly cannibalising old aircraft in a bid to keep the best planes flying. Sources told The Sun that the stunt team's popular shows, often the highlight of special occasions including Charles III's coronation, could soon be cancelled in the wake of the shortage. One said: 'There are no two ways about it — the Red Arrows are running out of planes. 'Planes can only fly so many shows before they need new parts. 'So either they get new planes or they have to cancel shows.' The huge G-forces imparted on the Hawk T1s give them a shorter shelf life than other flypast planes. MailOnline has approached the Ministry of Defence for comment. First introduced in 1974, the current crop have been on borrowed time ever since the factory that makes spare parts closed five years ago. They are due to go out of service in 2030 with the Hawk T2s, which are used to train up RAF pilots, set to retire 10 years later. RAF chief Sir Richard Knighton insisted he was looking to find a replacement for the Hawk 'as soon as possible'. But in April it was reported the stunt team could swap its iconic British-built jets for a fleet of Russian-designed aircraft in a move that's left MPs and military top brass furious. Defence chiefs have reportedly been considering swapping the ageing Hawk T1s - which have been a staple for the famed aerobatic teams - for the M-346. As revealed by MailOnline earlier this year, much of the RAF display squad's ageing fleet of jets are nearing the end of their shelf lives - with some having been in service for around 50 years. Reports suggest the RAF may have to turn to Vladimir Putin for alternative aircraft, as the Yorkshire factory that made the BAE Hawks closed in 2020 - with a UK alternative still years away. The news was branded 'outrageous' by Tories, who said it flew in the face of the Red Arrows' publicly stated role of showcasing British industry and 'reinforcing the reputation of the UK'. Mark Francois, shadow armed forces minister, was horrified the British jets could be getting side-lined in favour of ones 'endorsed' by Russian tyrant Putin. 'The Red Arrows and their domestically manufactured Hawk jets are an iconic example of British aviation achievement,' the Tory MP told MailOnline. 'When the Hawk retires, in a few years time, it needs a firmly British replacement - not a Putin-endorsed Russian one - to maintain that tradition and boost our sovereign industrial capability, into the bargain.' Speaking to The Sun, Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge added: 'When the Red Arrows perform their brilliant air displays, their red, white and blue vapour trails represent the Union Jack - not the Russian tricolour. 'Taxpayers would think it extraordinary.' Former Chief Air Marshal Sir Mike Graydon also hit out and said: 'This would be an extraordinary decision. There would be a strong reaction from the public.' While retired Air Marshal Edward Stringer added the Red Arrows were meant to 'showcase British kit, training and expertise'. The Red Arrows was set up in 1954. Made up of some of the RAF's most elite pilots, members of the squad have flown in Folland Gnat and then the BAE Hawk. However, the T1 Hawk are set to be retired in 2030, while the newer T2 Hawks have been plagued by engine woes. The T2s are set to be retired in 2040. Defence chiefs have been eager for a new British-made jet to replace the outdated models - with Bristol-based Aeralis among the best options to do so. But the government said that the £19million Aermacchi M-346, jointly developed by Russia and Italy, is being considered, reported the Sun. Tyrant Vladimir Putin has previously posed for photos with the Russian version of the jet, known as the Yak-130. Former RAF fast jet instructor Tim Davies said buying the Russian-linked plane would be 'treasonous'. While Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told MailOnline: 'That would be totally unacceptable. It's a big no.' But Downing Street branded claims the Red Arrows could be replaced with Russian-designed planes made in Italy as 'pure speculation' and insisted the procurement process hasn't even started yet. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The Ministry of Defence has made clear this is pure speculation. The procurement for the replacement jets for the Red Arrows has not started. 'So it's clearly not true to say any particular company is being considered. Indeed, the Ministry of Defence and the Italian company have said there have been no discussions with the company over buying that aircraft. 'Clearly I'm not going to get ahead of any future procurement competition, but I would be very clear that we do not procure any military equipment from Russia.' In a statement, the Ministry of Defence added: 'We have not yet engaged the market on the future Red Arrows jet.' In January, ex-pilots expressed fears the high number of hours flown, uncovered by a MailOnline probe, will force them to be stood down earlier unless they are preserved. For fans, this could result in very limited displays, with little aerobatics to expand the lifespan of the jets. A former RAF fast-jet pilot told MailOnline: 'If they don't get new aircraft, the Reds are finished.' All of the 16 jets currently in operation – stationed at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire – are approaching 50 years old. The youngest is 43. Ministers insist the Hawk T1s – engineered by BAE Systems and powered with Rolls-Royce engines – will fly until the planned out-of-service date. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told MailOnline: 'It would be a national disgrace if we lost the Red Arrows.' A Ministry of Defence (MoD) source said 'there are plenty of hours left to get them to 2030 and, indeed, well beyond if necessary'.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer vows there will be ‘no Russian influence' on Red Arrows
The Red Arrows will not fly jets designed by Russia, Sir Keir Starmer has indicated. The RAF aerobatic display team's Hawk T1 jets are due to leave service in 2030, fuelling speculation that a replacement based on a Russian design could be considered. But the Prime Minister said it was 'uppermost in my mind' that there would not be 'Russian influence' on the Red Arrows. The Sun reported that Aermacchi M-346 planes, made by an Italian firm but which began as a joint project with Russia's Yakovlev, is being considered to replace the ageing Hawks. Asked to guarantee that the Red Arrows' new plane would not be designed by Russia, the Prime Minister said: 'Yes, of course, that will be absolutely uppermost in my mind. 'I can give you that guarantee – it's very, very important that we don't have Russian influence in Red Arrows or anything else for that matter.' The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was 'pure speculation' to suggest the M-346 was being considered for the Red Arrows. He said: 'The procurement for the replacement jets for the Red Arrows has not started. So it's clearly not true to say that any particular company is being considered. 'And indeed, the Ministry of Defence and the Italian company have said that there have been no discussions with the company over buying that aircraft.' The spokesman added: 'We do not procure any military equipment whatsoever from Russia.'
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Red Arrows not under threat
Defence Secretary John Healey has said there is "no threat" to the future of the Red Arrows. Speaking at RAF Waddington on Friday, he made clear his support for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Healey said: "It's a proud British institution, it trains some of the best pilots in the world and sets standards for other air forces. "There is no threat to the Red Arrows, we want them to fly for the future and continue to set new standards." The jets, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, cost almost £80,000 a day to run and their future was raised by Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty in Parliament last month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who accompanied Healey on the visit, was asked about plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027. Reeves said: "The world has changed and we can see that before our eyes. With the threats that we see within Europe means we need to up what we spend on defence." Earlier this month, Maria Eagle, the Minister for Defence Procurement, stated 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. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Starmer cuts aid to fund increase in defence spending MP 'committed' to keeping Red Arrows in action Woman detained after climbing fence at RAF base 'I first saw the Red Arrows at 11 - now I'm a pilot' Ministry of Defence Red Arrows | Royal Air Force
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Red Arrows future not under threat, says defence secretary
Defence Secretary John Healey has said there is "no threat" to the future of the Red at RAF Waddington on Friday, he made clear his support for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic said: "It's a proud British institution, it trains some of the best pilots in the world and sets standards for other air forces. "There is no threat to the Red Arrows, we want them to fly for the future and continue to set new standards." The jets, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, cost almost £80,000 a day to run and their future was raised by Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty in Parliament last Rachel Reeves, who accompanied Healey on the visit, was asked about plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by said: "The world has changed and we can see that before our eyes. With the threats that we see within Europe means we need to up what we spend on defence."Earlier this month, Maria Eagle, the Minister for Defence Procurement, stated the Red Arrows' Hawk T1 aircraft would go out of service in March 2030 and the annual cost to maintain the aircraft was £ to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MP 'committed' to keeping Red Arrows in action
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." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Cost of living and NHS are priorities for new MP New MP says RAF Scampton is foremost on his agenda 'I first saw the Red Arrows at 11 - now I'm a pilot' Trump calls Zelensky a 'dictator' as rift between two leaders deepens Ministry of Defence Red Arrows | Royal Air Force
