In a renewed commitment to bolster the UK’s defence manufacturing sector, Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that British-based firms will be prioritised for investment as the Government seeks a replacement for the ageing aircraft used by the iconic Red Arrows display team.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Healey described the replacement of the Royal Air Force’s Hawk T1 jets, which are set to retire in 2030, as “long overdue”. His comments came amid growing pressure from MPs to ensure the next generation of aircraft is both designed and built in the United Kingdom.
The remarks follow a dazzling flypast by the Red Arrows over Buckingham Palace earlier this month, held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day — a timely reminder of the nation’s proud military and aviation heritage.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge pressed the matter in Parliament, stating: “We will all have enjoyed the Red Arrows’ flypast as part of our VE Day celebrations, but the fact is their Hawk jet needs replacing. So, given that one of the publicly-stated roles of the Red Arrows is — and I quote — ‘supporting British industry’, will the Secretary of State guarantee that the Red Arrows’ next jet will be designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom?”
Mr Healey was unequivocal in his response: “As the former procurement minister, he will know that the replacement of our jet trainer is long overdue. He will have heard me earlier say that, for the first time, this is a Government that will first of all look to direct British taxpayers’ defence investment to British-based firms, British-based jobs, British-based technology, and British-based innovation.”
His comments were welcomed by MPs keen to see defence spending translate into tangible economic benefits across the UK. Alan Gemmell, the Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, highlighted local efforts to secure the future of military aviation in his constituency. “I have spent some months convincing British scale-up Aeralis to choose Prestwick as their location for a proposed solution to the Hawk replacement,” he said, “creating 4,000 jobs and the first British jet built in 50 years.”
Mr Gemmell then asked defence minister Maria Eagle whether she would “do all she can to bring Aeralis to Prestwick and make the Red Arrows British and Scottish”. Ms Eagle responded positively, saying she had met with Aeralis “on a number of occasions”, and that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had already provided significant support to the firm.
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“The MoD has provided the company with considerable support as they’ve developed their concept of a modular aircraft and digital design,” Ms Eagle confirmed. “The department remains engaged with Aeralis, as it does with the sector as a whole, in seeking the solution to generate combat air pilots of the future and has begun the process to consider what aircraft will replace the Hawk fast jet trainer currently in operation with the Royal Air Force.”
Labour MP Luke Charters (York Outer) also pushed for greater support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector. In response, Mr Healey revealed forthcoming initiatives: “SME involvement in the defence supply chain will be boosted by new spending targets that I will set in June.”
The debate marks a growing political consensus around the importance of supporting home-grown innovation and manufacturing, particularly in strategically vital industries such as defence. As the Government embarks on its search for a suitable successor to the Hawk T1, ministers appear determined to ensure that British jobs, talent, and technology are placed at the heart of the RAF’s next chapter.
