The Red Arrows will support Britain’s prosperity by performing in up to 20 locations from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific, according to the Government.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced that the RAF’s display team will perform their world-famous aerobatics with displays and flypasts for the first time ever in China, and are due to perform in countries including India, Malaysia and Singapore.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
“Our RAF Red Arrows and Typhoons represent the best of British. The Red Arrows will fly the flag for Britain in key export markets while our RAF Typhoons will exercise with our allies.”
Planning is under way to finalise details of the Red Arrows deployment, which follows an invitation for the aerobatic team of Hawk T1 aircraft to perform at the Zhuhai Airshow as part of the UK’s GREAT campaign.
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Scampton. The team was formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team, replacing a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by RAF commands.
The Red Arrows badge shows the aircraft in their trademark diamond nine formation, with the motto Éclat, a French word meaning “brilliance” or “excellence”.
Initially, they were equipped with seven Folland Gnat trainers inherited from the RAF Yellowjacks display team. This aircraft was chosen because it was less expensive to operate than front-line fighters. In their first season, they flew at 65 shows across Europe. In 1966, the team was increased to nine members, enabling them to develop their Diamond Nine formation. In late 1979, they switched to the BAE Hawk trainer. The Red Arrows have performed over 4,700 displays in 56 countries worldwide.
Brilliant, not only are the Red Arrows a great British institution and a fantastic outlet for promoting the RAF and UK armed forces, they will be a terrific promotional tool for UK PLC in future, particularly when we have fully left the EU.
Loft diplomacy?