The Red Arrows face a serious threat of being grounded, with no replacement aircraft lined up for their ageing fleet of Hawk T1 jets due to retire in 2030.
Veterans fear the iconic display team could be forced into hibernation even earlier unless immediate action is taken to preserve the existing aircrafts.
The situation could result in severely limited displays with reduced aerobatics to extend the lifespan of the current jets.
All 16 jets currently stationed at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire are approaching half a century of service, with the youngest being 43 years old.
The Red Arrows display team perform a fly past over the Farnborough International Airshow
PA
Data revealed through a Freedom of Information request shows the fleet has flown an average of 8,939 hours each.
Two jets have already logged more than 10,000 flying hours, leaving them with less than 2,300 hours before reaching their design limit of 12,400 hours.
Ex-Squadron Leader Tim Davies told The Mail on Sunday: “The pilots and engineers are doing their best. If they are ordered to keep the aircraft flying, they will as long as it is safe to do so.
“The military are experts at managing their fleets. Each jet has a maximum service life and they know how to maximise this… but if they do not get new aircraft, the Reds are finished.
“You can reduce the demands on the aircraft by reducing the level of training and by flying less dynamic displays which reduces the G-count.”
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Ministers maintain the Hawk T1s, engineered by BAE Systems with Rolls-Royce engines, will remain operational until their planned retirement in 2030
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Ministers maintain the Hawk T1s, engineered by BAE Systems with Rolls-Royce engines, will remain operational until their planned retirement in 2030.
He explained that reducing the demands on aircraft by limiting training and dynamic displays would lower the G-count, potentially extending their service life.
Davies noted there is currently no British-made jet suitable to replace the ageing T1 Hawks.
Bristol-based Aeralis is positioned to win the multi-million pound contract to build new jets for the Red Arrows, who celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2024.
However, foreign manufacturers including Boeing, Saab, Leonardo and Lockheed Martin could also secure the deal, as they already produce modern training jets.
Nigel Farage said losing the jets would be a ‘national disgrace’
NIGEL FARAGE
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “It would be a national disgrace if we lost the Red Arrows.”
An MoD spokesman said: “The out of service date is planned for 2030 and there are no current plans to extend this, with future aircraft plans for the Reds to be decided over the next few years post the SDR (Strategic Defence Review).’
The spokesman added: “Additionally, each year the display is changed with new formations and manoeuvres, these are assessed for best visual impact and safety alongside fatigue on the aircraft so if there was a requirement to reduce fatigue on the aircraft, some manoeuvres could be adjusted to reduce G forces without affecting the visual impact.
“Likewise the number and type of flypasts and displays planned is based on reaching or being seen by the most number of people not on fatigue life, flypasts are completed mainly due to airspace restrictions over built up areas with displays being planned for areas where suitable airspace is available.”
