The Defence Select Committee will reconvene this Wednesday to hear further evidence in the inquiry into Future Aviation Capabilities.

AERALIS CEO, Tristan Crawford, gave testimony last month, along with representatives from BAE Systems and Spirit Aerosystems, where he highlighted the risk of continuing with a traditional ‘single-point’ design approach to the procurement of the UK’s next advanced jet trainer – a much needed capability to support the Future Combat Air System, that currently has no confirmed trainer aircraft programme in place.

This week’s hearing will seek insights from the UK Government and Royal Air Force, with evidence to be given by James Cartlidge MP, Minister for Defence Procurement at Ministry of Defence; Lieutenant General Rob Magowan CB CBE, Chief of the Defence Staff (Financial and Military Capability) at Ministry of Defence; Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB, Chief of the Air Staff at Ministry of Defence; and Richard Berton OBE, Director Future Combat Air at Ministry of Defence.

It goes without saying, we will be watching with great interest and will report back after the session.

You can watch the hearing live on the Defence Select Committee website from 14:30, Wednesday 21 February: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/20627/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/