90th Anniversary of the Spitfire

5 March 2026

Letter from Robin Southwell, Chairman of AERALIS

Today marks the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire – an aircraft that came to symbolise not only British independence and engineering brilliance, but the determination, creativity and courage of an entire nation. It represents something deeply rooted in our national story: Britain’s ability to design and build world‑class aircraft that help define who we are.

From the Spitfire to the Hawk, Britain has a proud and unbroken heritage of aircraft development and achievement. These platforms were conceived, engineered and built here, delivering sovereign capability, skilled jobs, export success and global influence. They stand as proof that when Britain chooses to lead in aviation, we achieve extraordinary things.

It would be a profound tragedy for this legacy to be lost.

As we look to the future of military flying, the UK faces a pivotal choice. We can either maintain this key capability, or allow our expertise, intellectual property and strategic control to pass into the hands of foreign importers. Once lost, sovereign capability will not return.

AERALIS exists to ensure the UK can continue to Design British, Build British, Fly British.

We are the only next‑generation military training aircraft designed and built in the United Kingdom, reinforcing the Union through selecting Prestwick as our future site for final assembly. Our modular system places British engineering, British innovation and British control at the centre of future fast jet training and light jet capability. AERALIS offers the UK something invaluable:

complete sovereignty over design, development and RAF operational use

high‑value jobs spread across the nation

export income through a world‑class British product, and

strategic independence at a time when it has never mattered more

On this anniversary, as we look back with admiration at the Spitfire and all it represents, we should also look forward. The question before us is simple: should Britain design and build our own military aircraft ensuring our nation’s control over this strategic capability for now and generations to come?