The UK government announced a £15bn increase in military spending, which includes £360m for a new British Jet Trainer System. This system will provide new jets for the Red Arrows, replacing their current Hawk aircraft, which have been in service since the 1980s.
The Red Arrows will reduce their formation size to seven aircraft for most displays due to the ageing fleet of Hawk T1s, which are set to retire in 2030. This decision aims to support fleet management and prepare for a future aircraft type, with spare parts becoming less available.
British aerospace company Aeralis, developing a replacement for the Red Arrows' Hawk jets, has collapsed into administration, losing 30 jobs. Delays in the UK Defence Investment Plan and funding issues, exacerbated by geopolitical factors, led to the collapse. The company's main investor, Qatar's Barzan Holdings, withdrew funding amid regional conflict.
