AERALIS welcomes the Strategic Defence Review, published yesterday afternoon. Most particularly its commitment that “Hawk T1 and Hawk T2 [jets] should be replaced with a cost‑effective fast jet trainer.”

A decision to replace these jets could not come sooner. Well-publicised maintenance issues, rapidly approaching out-of-service dates and spiralling costs are resulting in fast jet training outsourced overseas and our treasured aerobatic team running low on hours.

These jets matter because, for every GCAP, Typhoon or F-35 jet fighter, we need a human at the controls – a position that will not change for at least a generation. And on their journey to being an elite pilot, that human needs a cost effective and reliable platform on which to train.

Very fortunately, AERALIS has the only British solution available to replace the Hawk. One that will also be ready for export into a £90bn global market.

Our solution requires no upfront capital from the Government, is commercially funded and is ready to activate. The design of the jet is modular, making it readily adaptable to meet future requirements; it will provide 4,000 jobs across all parts of the United Kingdom, grow the economy, encourage exports and is the only programme able to provide a British aircraft for the Red Arrows.

AERALIS’s proposition is simple. It draws on existing world-leading UK manufacturing through AERTEAM™, a consortium of seven defence companies, who between them have decades of experience building and operating military aircraft to ensure AERALIS is delivered to market in time, keeping wholly British designed and built jets flying in UK skies.

We further commend the assertion that: “current flying training arrangements for fast jets must be urgently revised to optimise capacity, building-in maximum use of contractors and provision for training overseas students.”

At AERALIS, we warmly welcome this announcement, alongside the Secretary of State for Defence’s declaration that he wishes to make Defence ‘an engine for growth’. From Central Ayrshire to Gosport and in 25 constituencies in-between, our jet will be designed and built across the UK, ensuring British citizens stand to benefit from and be proud of an aircraft designed, built, flown and trained on from sites across the country.

What more cost effective approach could there be than a self-funded, British programme that drives growth, releases cash and allows capacity to train British pilots as well as allies from overseas.

🔗 Read: The Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad

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Discover more about the AERALIS vision here

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