AERALIS modular jets flying in formation with the Union Jack flag and the AERALIS logo behind them

MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE PROCUREMENT ANNOUNCES BRITISH JET TRAINER MANUFACTURING IS UNDER ‘ACTIVE CONSIDERATION’

26 March 2025

During yesterday’s Defence Questions, Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry responded to a Parliamentary question on the future of the Red Arrows with the response that a British replacement jet is under ‘active consideration’.

🔍 Watch the coverage of questions in the House of Commons: Parliament TV

Maria Eagle, Minister of Defence Procurement addressing Parliament.

“The hon. Gentleman is right that Hawk is due to be out of service in the early 2030s. We are taking steps to consider alternatives and what they might be. There are of course UK options that exist… under active consideration”

AERALIS is the only British programme building a light jet aircraft to deliver a replacement to the Red Arrows.

Our privately funded business model allows the UK to design and build a display aircraft at no upfront cost to the taxpayer, all as part of delivering a future fleet of various types, designed to support evolving needs.

Our modular approach unlocks the UK’s ability to work with international artners to customise and produce not only crewed but also uncrewed variants, all using a common platform. This allows interoperability whilst slashing development and through-life costs.

Through our unique approach, we can ensure the UK’s future elite pilots train using a sovereign, high performance jet that develops domestic capability, slashes costs, strengthens industrial resilience, all whilst promoting British exports and defence excellence around the world. We therefore warmly welcome the Minister’s response.

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