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The Red Arrows may be forced to fly foreign-built jets for the first time amid warnings that British manufacturers are at risk of being frozen out of the competition to replace the team’s ageing aircraft.
Defence insiders say the prolonged and costly procurement process to replace the Hawk jet has tipped the balance in favour of major US and European firms, with British industry struggling to keep pace.
The prospect of the Royal Air Force‘s iconic display team flying an overseas aircraft has been branded ‘nonsense’, given the Red Arrows’ role as a global symbol of UK engineering and soft power.
A source told the Express that defence chiefs are inherently biased towards large US manufacturers, which are seen as lower risk, while the lengthy selection process imposed under Labour is expected to sideline domestic contenders.
They also warned a drawn-out competition could force the only UK-designed option to seek work abroad, effectively removing it from contention.
The Hawk T1 jets currently flown by the Red Arrows have been in service since 1980 and are due to be retired in March 2030. The need for a replacement was set out in last year’s Strategic Defence Review.
The Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force perform with BAE Systems Hawk T1 training jets during day two of NATO Days in Ostrava and Czech Air Force Days in Mosnov,
The RAF Red Arrows during the Eastbourne Air Show 2025 on August 17, 2025 in Eastbourne
Updated Hawk T2 aircraft are used to train fast jet pilots, but they have suffered availability, reliability and engine problems.
Although they are not scheduled to leave service until 2040, the head of the Armed Forces has previously said he would like them replaced sooner.
It is believed that the Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk, developed in collaboration with BAE Systems, is currently a favourite among defence chiefs.
Another contender is the Aermacchi M-346, built by Italian manufacturer Leonardo, which was originally developed with Russian firm Yakovlev.
The only UK-designed and built option is the Aeralis jet, which would be manufactured at sites across England and completed in western Scotland. However, the Bristol-based company has yet to build a prototype.
A decision on replacing the Hawk has been repeatedly delayed, and with the existing jets becoming increasingly unreliable, and officials remain determined to run an expensive competition that has yet to begin.
With uncertainty continuing, it is believed Aeralis could be forced to move operations overseas, leaving the Ministry of Defence with only foreign-built options.
The Red Arrows aerobatic display team fly past during a national service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: ‘This is yet another example of the dire impact Labour’s dither and delay is having on our defence industry.
‘The Defence Investment Plan, promised for autumn 2025, has still not been published leaving procurement in the MoD effectively on hold.
‘Labour are too busy dealing with their self-inflicted scandals, like Peter Mandelson, to actually govern the country.’
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘The fast jet trainer programme is ongoing and no final procurement decisions have been made.
‘More broadly, this Government is backing British jobs, British industry and British innovators. Since July 2024, we have signed 1,100 major contracts, with 84% of our annual spend going to British companies.’
