{"id":3955,"date":"2025-04-07T07:51:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T07:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/3955\/"},"modified":"2025-04-07T07:51:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T07:51:10","slug":"iconic-raf-red-arrows-jets-in-danger-of-being-replaced-by-russian-planes-loved-by-putin-in-move-slammed-as-outrageous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/3955\/","title":{"rendered":"Iconic RAF Red Arrows jets in danger of being replaced by Russian planes loved by Putin in move slammed as ‘outrageous’"},"content":{"rendered":"

BRITAIN\u2019S Red Arrows display team may trade in its iconic fleet for Russian-designed jets \u2014 sparking fury.<\/p>\n

The M-346s are being considered by RAF<\/a> chiefs who need to retire ageing Hawks.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

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Red Arrows are supposed to showcase British industry and ‘reinforce the reputation of the UK’Credit: Getty\"Red<\/a><\/p>\n

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The factory that made the BAE Hawks closed in 2020Credit: SWNS\"Alenia<\/a><\/p>\n

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With the leading alternative being years away, we may need to switch to Russian-designed jetsCredit: getty<\/p>\n

Replacing the aerobatic team\u2019s iconic 50-year-old planes with Russian designed jets would be \u201coutrageous\u201d, Tories said last night.<\/p>\n

The RAF could have to turn to Vladimir Putin<\/a> as the Yorkshire<\/a> factory that made the BAE Hawks closed in 2020 and the leading UK alternative is years away.<\/p>\n

That may mean switching to Russian-designed jets, despite the Red Arrows\u2019 publicly stated role of showcasing British industry and \u201creinforcing the reputation of the UK\u201d.<\/p>\n

Last night Tory Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: \u201cWhen the Red Arrows perform their brilliant air displays, their red, white and blue vapour trails represent the Union Jack \u2014 not the Russian tricolour. <\/p>\n

“Taxpayers would think it extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tory MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke, a former defence minister, said the move would be \u201coutrageous\u201d.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cFor a country which has stood strong alongside Ukraine<\/a>, it sends entirely the wrong message. It\u2019s an insult to the thousands who have died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Air Marshal Edward Stringer said the Red Arrows were supposed \u201cshowcase British, kit, training and expertise\u201d.<\/p>\n

And former Chief Air Marshal Sir Mike Graydon warned: \u201cThis would be an extraordinary decision. There would be a strong reaction from the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since being set up in 1954, The Red Arrows have flown British-made aircraft \u2014 first the Folland Gnat and then the BAE Hawk. Predecessors the Black Arrows flew British Hawker Hunters.<\/p>\n

\"Vladimir<\/a><\/p>\n

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Russian tyrant Putin in the Russian Yak-130Credit: Getty\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Red Arrows are known for their iconic 50-year-old planesCredit: SWNS<\/p>\n

But the team\u2019s Hawk T1s are due to be retired by 2030 while the newer Hawk T2s, desperately needed for pilot training, have been beset by engine problems.<\/p>\n

They are due to go in 2040, but in November new Chief Air Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said: \u201cI would like to replace the Hawk T2 as soon as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol-based Aeralis are the best-placed UK firm to step in, but are yet to make a prototype. Other options include a revamped BAE Hawk, a US Boeing<\/a> trainer, or the Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle.<\/p>\n

Incredible moment Red Arrows jets soar over Buckingham Palace in stunning footage captured from inside the cockpit<\/p>\n

But the Government confirmed it is considering the \u00a319million Aermacchi M-346 jet \u2014 jointly developed by Russia<\/a> and Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Russian tyrant Putin has been pictured in the Russian version, known as the Yak-130, and Moscow<\/a> has sold the fighter version to terrorist ally Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ex-RAF fast jet instructor Tim Davies said buying a Russian linked jet would be \u201ctreasonous\u201d.<\/p>\n

He told\u00a0The Sun: \u201cTo replace this aircraft with anything that isn’t British would be a significant mistake, it would tell the world that the UK has lost it, that we can no longer design and build great training aircraft.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo buy anything else, especially the Italian M-346 which is based on the Russian Yak-130 would be bordering on being treasonous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defence Minister Maria Eagle said: \u201cThe Aermacchi M-346 fast jet trainer is one of several market options available.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Defence<\/a> added: \u201cWe have not yet engaged the market on the future Red Arrows jet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The M-346 was originally known as the YAK\/AEM-130 after the Italian firm Aermacchi (AEM) joined forces with Moscow\u2019s Yakovlev (YAK) in 1996.<\/p>\n

State-owned Yakovlev also makes Russia\u2019s formidable Sukhoi jets that blitz Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Aermacchi rebranded the Yak-130 as the M-346 when the companies parted ways, but the exterior design remained the same.<\/p>\n

Aermacchi\u2019s new owners Leonardo insisted the M-346 was \u201cproduced in Europe to the most stringent Nato standards\u201d.<\/p>\n

They said at least 10 Nato air forces used it for training, including RAF pilots who have been forced to train in Italy, using Italian jets, due to shortages of working Hawks in the UK.<\/p>\n

A Leonardo spokesman added: \u201cThe M-346 trainer is being assessed as an option for a number of emerging requirements, including by the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n

But they added that: \u201cTo-date, there have been no discussions with the UK Ministry of Defence about the possibility of the M-346 being used by the Red Arrows.\u201d<\/p>\n

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