The UK Government is actively considering options for replacing the Hawk T1 jet, the aircraft most famously flown by the Red Arrows, as it approaches the end of its service life in the early 2030s.
Speaking in the House of Commons, John Cooper MP (Con, Dumfries and Galloway) asked Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle about the Government’s plans to ensure a British-built replacement, maintaining sovereign capability for fast jet training and display flying.
Eagle responded: “The hon. Gentleman is right to say that Hawk is due to be out of service in the early 2030s. We are taking steps to consider what the alternatives might be, and we will of course consider any UK options that exist. I cannot tell him what the answer to that is yet, but it is under active consideration.”
The Hawk T1 is being phased out, with only the Red Arrows and a handful of units still operating the type. The Hawk T2, a more modern variant, remains in service for advanced training but is not being procured in significant numbers to replace the older fleet.
With no confirmed successor, the UK risks losing its sovereign fast jet training capability—a concern for both the Red Arrows and RAF combat pilot development.
BAE Systems, the manufacturer of the Hawk, has no confirmed plans for a direct successor. However, the UK’s involvement in the Tempest sixth-generation fighter programme could provide opportunities to develop a next-generation jet trainer.
Other potential options include:
- Upgrading existing Hawk T2s to extend their service life.
- Procuring an off-the-shelf foreign jet trainer, such as the Korean KAI T-50 or Italian Leonardo M-346.
- Developing a new UK-designed trainer potentially linked to the Tempest programme, Aeralis, or a joint venture with European partners.
The Strategic Defence Review could provide clarity on the future of fast jet training in the UK. However, Eagle’s comments indicate that a decision is still some way off.
Whatever decision is made, time is running out. With the Hawk T1’s retirement looming, the UK Government must soon decide whether to maintain a British-built fast jet capability or risk relying on foreign alternatives.
Hawk was a massive sales success with many hundreds being built for so many other countries around the World, I can’t see this being replaced by another British option and just how sad is that.
Aeralis is the UK option in development but successive gov have failed to see training Aircraft as an important role or export, so failed to help fund it.
I think it’s more of a case of the Govt not wanting to spend the money as per usual. In this case it could prove catastrophic since it won’t matter how well the Tempest program progresses if we can’t train the pilots it’s just a very large and expensive door stop.
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Hawk started out as private venture by Hawker Siddeley. There is no way BAe would do anything as a private veture so their factory will close.
Tempest will presumably function as part of a networked system, whereby it operates as a mother ship for multiple UAS. Training a pilot to be a part of that system would be a different proposition to training a pilot to fly a plane. Ensuring that any future training aircraft are actually suitable for future training needs may therefore be a complicated proposition.
Again why Aeralis is the best option in my opinion.
I know no modular systems are never quite as plug and play as advertised but if the modular idea is shown to work being able to swap from a “basic” flight training to an advanced fight and flight training cockpit without effecting flight characteristics or performance envelope, should streamline training.
What has Aeralis produced so far ?.
They’re getting a prototype flying imminently.
Fully expect the Red Arrows to get the chop in the SDSR, as much as I will miss them. And I blame Reeves and her economic illiteracy for that. Most of the coming budget cuts wouldn’t have been necessary if it weren’t for her terrible economic management in short time she’s been in power. Although defence is protected from cuts, it will be tasked with showing efficiencies, and the Red Arrows will present as a highly symbolic sacrificial lamb.
I think that the Korean KIA T-50 is the perfect choice for the hawk replacement as their airforce use the for their acrobatic team the golden Eagles which were very impressive as seen at RAF Fairford Air Tattoo. I feel financially it would be the most sensible as it’s already built and in service.
Fully agree. A supersonic trainer and 2nd tier air defence. Even better if it came with workshare…
Sad but I’m in no doubt it’s going to be an over seas buy nothing’s come of this Aeralis project .The BAE Hawk looking like the last ever British jet trainer for the RAF. 😟
Buying the Hawk T2 was an expensive “buy British” mistake 25 years ago. The M-346 should have been procured for UK MFTS BFT/FJ flying training but it was excluded by the MoD. The M-346 is better in almost all respects.
We missed the boat 25 years ago. Let’s look at overseas options for best value for money when the defencr budget is so stretched.
If it was me, I would order 9 M346 for high end RAF jet training, then transfer 9 T2 Hawk to the Red Arrows.
They need 12 or more mucker…..spares and all etc…and I for one would rather fly in a T1, bloody engine’s in the T2 is crap, and you don’t need that in the Reds. Ex RN myself.
How long have they ignored this issue…
They had the SSN fleet alongside for best part of a year as we didn’t have the facilities to perform their planned maintenance ready. As long as one of the T2s can get in the air we are doing ok by current UK standards.
Just buy the M-346, for a change we may get something right and save money.