UK Funds £360 Million Red Arrows Jet Replacement as £15 Billion Defence Plan Expands
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 30
UK Funds £360 Million Red Arrows Jet Replacement as £15 Billion Defence Plan Expands
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 30
Summary
£360 million will fund a new British Jet Trainer System that includes replacement aircraft for the Red Arrows, ending uncertainty over the team’s ageing Hawk fleet.
Hawk jets entered service in the 1980s, and the display team said last month it would fly fewer aircraft at most shows to stretch their remaining lifespan.
The wider defence investment plan also sets aside £1.1 billion to upgrade RAF Typhoon fighters at RAF Coningsby and increases spending on drone technology.
Dan Jarvis said "tough choices" were needed to finance the package, including asking all departments to contribute 1% of their capital budgets, while Conservatives called the plan too little, too late.