AERALIS Chairman, Robin Southwell OBE, appeared on GB News last night to discuss recent press coverage of a ‘crisis’ within the Red Arrows, as their fleet of Hawk T1s reduces over the coming years.

Southwell, formerly Grp MD BAeS and CEO Airbus UK, addressed a topic which has become increasingly heated in recent months.

While the public-facing discussion focuses on the Red Arrows, this is not of course, AERALIS’s primary focus, which is to deliver a cost-effective, future-ready platform for air force training fleets around the world, including replacing the RAF’s problematic fleet of Hawk T2s.

“After five decades why don’t we build our own jet?” Southwell remarked, referencing the fact that it has been 50 years since the UK produced the Hawk – the last wholly British designed and built military jet.

“We will not only deliver the cheapest plane,” he continued. “But we will create 4,000 jobs, and we will export this to the world. I am charging my team to deliver 500 exports around the world, bringing untold value and soft power. It goes without saying it’s a no-brainer that we should design and build this. And in a world of uncertainty, wouldn’t it be good if we started building our own equipment where no one else is in control of it?”

While the public-facing discussion focuses on the Red Arrows, this is not of course, AERALIS’s primary focus, which is to deliver a cost-effective, future-ready platform for air force training fleets around the world, including replacing the RAF’s problematic fleet of Hawk T2s.

🔗 Watch the coverage from GB News on X

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