Fury as Britain’s iconic Red Arrows Hawk fleet ‘could also be changed by Russian-designed M-346 jets’
The RAF‘s Red Arrows stunt team could swap its iconic British-built jets for a fleet of Russian-designed aircraft in a move that’s left MPs and military top brass furious.
Defence chiefs are reportedly considering swapping the ageing Hawk T1s – which have been a staple for the famed aerobatic teams – for the M-346.
As revealed by MailOnline earlier this year, much of the RAF display squad’s ageing fleet of jets are nearing the end of their shelf lives – with some having been in service for around 50 years.
The jets are set to be retired in 2030. Reports now suggest the RAF may have to turn to Vladimir Putin for alternative aircraft, as the Yorkshire factory that made the BAE Hawks closed in 2020 – with a UK alternative still years away.
The news was branded ‘outrageous’ by Tories, who said it flew in the face of the Red Arrows’ publicly stated role of showcasing British industry and ‘reinforcing the reputation of the UK’.
Mark Francois, shadow armed forces minister, was horrified the British jets could be getting side-lined in favour of ones ‘endorsed’ by Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin.
‘The Red Arrows and their domestically manufactured Hawk jets are an iconic example of British aviation achievement,’ the Tory MP told MailOnline. ‘When the Hawk retires, in a few years time, it needs a firmly British replacement – not a Putin-endorsed Russian one – to maintain that tradition and boost our sovereign industrial capability, into the bargain.’
Speaking to The Sun, Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge added: ‘When the Red Arrows perform their brilliant air displays, their red, white and blue vapour trails represent the Union Jack – not the Russian tricolour.
The RAF’s iconic British-built Hawk jets could be replaced by a Russian-designed plane
Defence chiefs are reportedly considering swapping the ageing Hawk T1s – which have been a staple for the famed aerobatic teams – for the M-346 (pictured), designed by Russia
‘Taxpayers would think it extraordinary.’
Former Chief Air Marshal Sir Mike Graydon also hit out and said: ‘This would be an extraordinary decision. There would be a strong reaction from the public.’
While retired Air Marshal Edward Stringer added the Red Arrows were meant to ‘showcase British kit, training and expertise’.
The Red Arrows was set up in 1954. Made up of some of the RAF’s most elite pilots, members of the squad have flown in Folland Gnat and then the BAE Hawk.
However, the T1 Hawk are set to be retired in 2030, while the newer T2 Hawks have been plagued by engine woes. The T2s are set to retired in 2040.
Defence chiefs have been eager for a new British-made jet to replace the outdated models – with Bristol-based Aeralis among the best options to do so.
But the government said that the £19million Aermacchi M-346, jointly developed by Russia and Italy, is being considered, reported the Sun.
Tyrant Vladimir Putin has previously posed for photos with the Russian version of the jet, known as the Yak-130.
Moscow has also sold a number of the fighter jets to Iran, who has recently threatened to attack British military bases.
The RAF is set to retire the Hawk T1 jets in 2030. Pictured are the Red Arrows during a display over the Negroponte Hotel in Greece in 2024
Former RAF fast jet instructor Tim Davies said buying the Russian-linked plane would be ‘treasonous’.
While Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told MailOnline: ‘That would be totally unacceptable. It’s a big no.’
But Downing Street branded claims the Red Arrows could be replaced with Russian-designed planes made in Italy as ‘pure speculation’ and insisted the procurement process hasn’t even started yet.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘The Ministry of Defence has made clear this is pure speculation. The procurement for the replacement jets for the Red Arrows has not started.
‘So it’s clearly not true to say any particular company is being considered. Indeed, the Ministry of Defence and the Italian company have said there have been no discussions with the company over buying that aircraft.
‘Clearly I’m not going to get ahead of any future procurement competition, but I would be very clear that we do not procure any military equipment from Russia.’
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence added: ‘We have not yet engaged the market on the future Red Arrows jet.’
Over the past two decades, there has been speculation that the Red Arrows could be axed entirely to save taxpayer cash.
In 2015, then-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon declared that disbanding the unit is ‘not a fight he would like to have’, adding that: ‘I don’t think the public would let us lose the Red Arrows.’
He said at the time Government would ‘start to think about’ how to replace the ageing aircraft in the ‘next year or two’.
However, Ex-RAF pilots fear the high number of hours flown, uncovered by MailOnline’s probe earlier this year, will force them to be stood down earlier unless they are preserved.
A former RAF fast-jet pilot told MailOnline: ‘If they don’t get new aircraft, the Reds are finished.’
