BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab have agreed a Letter of Intent to mount a joint bid for the Royal Air Force’s next fast-jet trainer, proposing a UK-assembled version of the T-7 as the core of a new, integrated training system.
The partnership aims to meet the requirement for a new Advanced Jet Trainer set out in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review and position the three firms to compete for future international training contracts.
The companies plan to deliver a live and synthetic training architecture built around the T-7’s modular mission systems and construct a UK-based production line under BAE Systems’ lead. The work would expand domestic supply-chain participation and create skilled jobs if selected.
Simon Barnes, who leads BAE’s Air sector, said the consortium would offer “a compelling offer to the UK Royal Air Force and our global customers” and argued that it would deliver both combat-air readiness and economic value.
Boeing set out the broader intent behind the arrangement. Bernd Peters, vice president for business development at its defence division, said the collaboration strengthens the transatlantic industrial base and would prepare RAF pilots for modern and future fighters. Saab echoed that view.
“The strong partnership between Boeing and Saab developed the T-7 to be the world’s best solution for future pilot training. By working with BAE Systems, Saab believes the UK can gain a worthy successor to the Hawk that is the right choice for pilots for decades to come,” said Saab’s head of business area Aeronautics Lars Tossman.
At the heart of the proposed system is the T-7A Red Hawk, chosen by the US Air Force as its next-generation pilot-training aircraft.
The platform, say the firms, combines a digital design approach with an integrated live, virtual and constructive training environment intended to prepare aircrew for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation combat aircraft.
On a like for like basis, there would be @40 aircraft possibly ordered to replace todays Red Arrows and T2’s.
“On a like for like basis” – a naivety living up to the name!
I wrote it as that is the figure currently quoted.
My normal sarcasm was absent but the comment was open to thought interpretation. 😉
That’s what you get for being serious mate.💥
Who cares whether it’s 30 or 40 or shmorty. The important thing is, we’re going to have ‘a live and synthetic training architecture’.
Should get a decision on this real soon, most likely January 2039. This can will be kicked down the road like every other one you wait and see.
Not sure what the point in setting a production line up for 30-40 aircraft is, unless we are gauranteed assembly for some other European/ME sales.
Got to fill that Typhoon/Tempest gap somehow I guess.
I’d avoid anything that Boeings been involved with. I thought Aeralis was preferred or has that now been dropped?
Aeralis is still a paper plane.
Paper planes are all we can afford.
T-7 actually exists and is flying,albeit with some issues,Aeralis has yet to fly off the Drawing Board,personally i would go South Korean or Italian for a new Trainer.The MOD seems keen on Aeralis for some reason.
What about Aero L39 Skyfox or the Alenia M-346 Master much further along in development?
Sadly, I don’t think Aeralis has even made its first test flight, and the T-7 is flying but not without its own problems. I’m also not sure who else has been tendered. I know it will be assembled by BAE, but I still don’t want more American products. I’m sure our PM will bend the knee to Trump on this.
Hmm let’s hope he isn’t Bubba eh. Though thinking about it it would be the other way around.
I would prefer the Italian option. The M-346 will be in use by the Italians and probably by the Japanese, and having a unified training system going into the operation of the Tempest would be big in streamlining upgrades.
I know Aeralis have some pull as a UK-based company, but I struggle to see how the UK could then support the production line after the limited run ends.
Qatar could most likely purchase Aeralis because Barzan Holdings is an investor in Aeralis. There was also news that they had already set up Aerlias France, which signed signed 2023 a MOU with the company as a potential replacement for the AlphaJet, and there was mention of a French training company as well. Aerialis has also partnered with Babcock France to help deliver this to the French MOD. But, this won’t happen, because if it isn’t Dassault, they won’t buy. But, hey, this is all paper at the moment.
Boeing haven’t been able to deliver T7s to the USAF, General Electric seem to be struggling to produce the F404 engine in numbers. I can’t see this being anything but a terrible idea.
At the same time Aerilas were suppose to have a flying prototype this year which didn’t happen. Realistically that leaves the Leonardo M345 and M346.
Maybe going with a Tempest partner might be a good thing.
Could a 2 seat Gripen do the job? Could use the them offensively in wartime if required also.
So many choices in this market segment.. personally considering the likely future of drone incursions and in a wartime situation the possibility of long range drones I think an option that can support as a second line drone interceptor would be good the future of air dominance is no longer just high end it’s also low end attrition and any opportunity needs to be taken to strengthen in both high and low end.