REPORTING at the weekend, MailOnline highlighted the uncertainty over the future of the RAF’s world-famous display team, the Red Arrows.

The report details findings from a Freedom of Information request, which show the Red’s fleet of ageing Hawk T1s – the youngest of which is now 43 years old – are running long on hours of high-stress performance, and low on options for replacement aircraft and spares.

An unnamed ex-RAF officer is quoted as saying: “When a number of squadrons operated the T1, there was a lovely big pool of spares that spread the cost of keeping it in the air. Now that items in the supply chain are getting harder to source, the T1s are getting more expensive as they get older.”

In 2015, then-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon expressed his support for the nation’s display team, saying: “I don’t think the public would let us lose the Red Arrows,” and that the Government would ‘start to think about’ how to replace the ageing aircraft in the ‘next year or two’.

Ten years on and no decision has been made. MailOnline’s article comments: “Bristol-based AERALIS is in line to win the multi-million pound deal to build new jets for the Red Arrows…” but as AERALIS CEO and founder, Tristan Crawford, points out, there’s a problem with that statement: “It’s fantastic to be mentioned in this context, however a replacement aircraft hasn’t been requested yet, and it is this decision and commitment from Government that’s required to get the process of replacement underway, not just for the Reds, but for the UK’s future advanced jet training capability – and the opportunity to export that around the world.

“The Red Arrows have always been about more than a demonstration of flying excellence – through the Hawk they’ve brilliantly showcased British engineering and aircraft design to a global audience. The Reds flying a new British aircraft as Hawk retires sends a clear statement about the UK’s support for high-value design and engineering. Through AERALIS, there’s a sovereign option on the table that can do the Hawk’s legacy justice, not only by being a fantastic display aircraft but also by demonstrating ground-breaking digital aircraft engineering and design for a ripe global export market – all being designed and built here in the UK.”

A decision on the future of the Red Arrows will not be made until the Strategic Defence Review is completed in the spring.