The UK Ministry of Defence is investing £695 million over the next 11 years to provide in-service support to the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Hawk T2 training aircraft and the Hawk T1 jets flown by the Red Arrows.

This will support hundreds of jobs at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales which is home to a fleet of 28 Hawk T2 jets. These aircraft are a vital training asset to deliver fast jet training for trainee pilots and form a key part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS)f.

UK MFTS provides the aircraft, synthetics and training devices to train the next generation of front-line aircrew of all three Services. Upon graduation, these pilots will go on to fly F-35B Lightning and Typhoon fighter jets.

The Hawk Integrated Support Solution comprises of two separate contracts placed by the Ministry of Defence’s procurement arm Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). These contracts will provide support for Hawk T2 aircraft, and the T1 Hawks used by the RAF’s Aerobatics Team, the Red Arrows.

The Hawk contract with BAE Systems (BAES), valued at £590 million, will cover all Hawk T2 airframe support elements. This work will ensure the Hawk aircraft continue as global ambassadors for the UK.

SOURCE UK MoD / RAF