Lincolnshire Red Arrows to get new jets replacing ageing Hawk

Lincolnshire Red Arrows to get new jets replacing ageing Hawk reiterates the UK government’s plan to fund the Red Arrows’ transition away from the ageing Hawk aircraft. Under the defence investment plan, the Ministry of Defence will invest £360m to develop a new British Jet Trainer System, which includes “new jets for the Red Arrows to replace the ageing Hawk aircraft”. The Hawk has been in service since the 1980s, and the team previously said it would operate with fewer aircraft at most displays last month to extend its service life. Former Red Arrows pilot Andy Wyatt welcomed the announcement, saying it provides “much-needed certainty” that the replacement process is advancing. He added that the chosen aircraft must satisfy RAF operational requirements and emphasized support for British engineering, protecting highly skilled jobs, and preserving sovereign aerospace capability. The announcement is linked to a broader £15bn increase in military spending.