The future of the Royal Air Force’s beloved Red Arrows aerobatic team may see them piloting jets from Italy, Sweden, or Korea during upcoming Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) displays and across the UK. This shift stems from the imminent retirement of the Hawk aircraft, a British-made jet that has been the team’s backbone for over 45 years. Despite its long-standing service, the government has yet to finalize a replacement.
Military experts suggest that advanced jet trainers like the Korean KAI T-50, Swedish Saab T-7A, or Italian Aermacchi M-346 are strong contenders to become the RAF’s next-generation aircraft. Should the RAF adopt any of these models, the Red Arrows’ fleet would naturally evolve to incorporate them. Notably, the Korean Black Eagles aerobatic team already flies the KAI T-50.
In parallel, British firm Aeralis is developing its own advanced jet trainer, offering a domestic alternative that has caught government attention. The issue recently surfaced during a parliamentary inquiry by Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, who expressed his keen interest in the Red Arrows, especially given their prominent role at local airshows such as the English Riviera Airshow.
READ MORE: Illnesses Before 55 May Double Dementia Risk, New Oxford Study Finds
READ MORE: Council Worker Jailed for Fraudulently Holding Four Concurrent Public Sector Jobs
Since debuting in 2016, the Red Arrows have become a familiar and celebrated presence over towns like Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Dartmouth, and Salcombe. The team is scheduled to perform over Sidmouth again at the town’s 2025 airshow on August 22 and will also appear at RIAT 2025 at RAF Fairford this weekend.
The Red Arrows were initially formed in 1964, flying Folland Gnat jets before transitioning to the BAe Hawk in 1979. However, with the Hawk set for retirement from RAF service by 2030, decisions on its successor are becoming increasingly urgent.
During the parliamentary discussion, Mr. Darling specifically inquired about plans to replace the Hawk T1 fleet, which remains in limited RAF use, including by the Red Arrows. Defence Minister Maria Eagle responded that the strategic defence review advocates replacing the Hawk T1 and T2 with a cost-effective advanced jet trainer, simultaneously considering the future platform for the RAF aerobatic team. A dedicated programme team will oversee this transition.
Furthermore, the Minister confirmed that the government remains open to exploring UK-based solutions, such as the Aeralis aircraft, demonstrating a balanced approach between international options and domestic innovation.