The Ministry of Defence has opened market engagement on a new Jet Training System that will deliver replacement aircraft for fast jet training and for the Red Arrows, ahead of the Hawk T1 leaving service in 2030, the department stated in a request for information.
The programme, listed under project code 700004994-RFI, was announced in the Defence Investment Plan 2026.
According to the notice, the investment will cover new jets for a modernised fast jet training system, allowing the Red Arrows to replace their ageing Hawks, and will carry a significant UK workshare. The department says the system is being designed to support the transition to fifth and sixth generation air systems.
Suppliers interested in taking part are asked to submit company details, a point of contact and their area of interest to the programme team, with a listing deadline of 11 September 2026. The notice carries the standard disclaimer that the exercise is for information gathering only, does not constitute an invitation to tender or a commitment to procure, and confers no advantage in any future competition. The work is categorised as services, and the contracting organisation is the Ministry of Defence, with the programme team operating under the National Armaments Director group.
The Hawk T1 first entered RAF service in 1976 and has been flown by the Red Arrows since 1979, when the team converted from the Folland Gnat. The type was withdrawn from its training role at RAF Valley some years ago, leaving the display team and a small number of aggressor and support aircraft as the principal remaining operators. Airframe fatigue and the age of the fleet have driven the out of service date, and the Red Arrows have continued to fly the T1 while the replacement question remained open.
Advanced fast jet training for RAF and Royal Navy pilots is currently delivered on the Hawk T2 at RAF Valley on Anglesey under the UK Military Flying Training System, operated by No 4 Flying Training School. The T2 fleet has faced availability problems in recent years, with the National Audit Office and parliamentary committees examining throughput on the pilot training pipeline.
Britain no longer builds jet trainers, though. The BAE Systems Hawk production line closed after the final export orders were completed, and the company has since said it would need a new order to restart the capability. Aircraft on the international market include the Leonardo M-346, in service with Italy, Poland and others, the Boeing and Saab T-7A Red Hawk being introduced by the United States Air Force, and the Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 family.
A British venture, Aeralis, had been developing a modular jet trainer concept aimed at the same requirement but folded recently.
The requirement also carries a national visibility dimension unusual in defence procurement, given the Red Arrows’ role in air displays and overseas engagements, and the notice frames the new aircraft as ‘inspiring future generations for decades to come’.
We need a light fighter combat version .
What for?
Light fighting I expect
Tbh, if they are going for a light fighter, it will be a cca.
Replacement aircraft before 2030, and I am going to be the next British astronaut. 🎆👽
I hope there is some real forsight goes into this selection process. I mean something that is mature and has a swing role so trainer and light fighter.
Given the reduced numbers of fighters we actually have would be nice to supplement what we’re using and reduce the strain on the Typhoon fleet esspecial as we’re not buying more.
I totally agree, makes total sense, so that’s that out then….we are talking MoD.
Yeah, get us airchair/keyboard boys in the MOD and we’d have everything we always dreamed off for an armed forces.
No disrespect with that comment btw I genuinely feel the civilians have an objectivity that many gov departments lack.
Surely that’s a job for loyal wingman flying solo. Especially to attack drones. We should be acquiring them in numbers
As much as drone warfare has developed a lot in recent years especially in light of the Ukraine war I still think this brings more risks than rewards.
The risk of a drone being compromised isn’t zero and that asset turned upon there own operator is a genuine problem.
“Loyal wingman flying solo”
Contradiction in terms?
If BAE can restart Hawk production and national visibility is a requirement, then that would be the obvious solution. But this would also need the problems with the Adour 951 engine on the Hawk T2 to be fixed, or an alternative engine to be supplied.
Redhawk has a number of unresolved issues with in service date delayed again.
Nice main picture featuring Kirsty murphy, the only female pilot to fly for the Red Arrows.
No, Steve it’s Wg Cdr Sasha Nash, the new Red Arrows boss.
Ah, OK thanks. So much for “fact checking” on GOOGLE. 😂