Red Arrows handed new RAF jets in huge £360m upgrade as ageing Hawk planes retired

Red Arrows handed new RAF jets in huge £360m upgrade as ageing Hawk planes retired The UK's new defence investment plan has pledged to replace the ageing Hawk aircrafts, giving a boost to the Red Arrows - a national and cultural symbol of Great Britain The RAF Red Arrows have been handed new jets as part of a plush £360million upgrade to replace ageing Hawk aircrafts. Hundreds of millions was committed to the upgrade that is designed to let the Red Arrows retire the Hawk as part of the British Jet Trainer system. The system is part of the Ministry of Defence's defence investment plan, which it said would result in "inspiring young generations for decades to come". The upgrade would be welcomed, but the Hawk T1 has been a staple of the Red Arrows since 1979, and they are the aircraft's only remaining operator. Red Arrows pilots have been lauded around the world with thousands turning out for each event. Former Red Arrows pilot Andy Wyatt told the BBC: "It provides much-needed certainty that the process of replacing the Hawk aircraft is finally moving forward." He continued: "The aircraft chosen must meet the RAF's operational requirements, but I hope equal weight will be given to supporting British engineering, protecting highly skilled jobs and preserving sovereign aerospace capability. "The aircraft carrying the famous red, white and blue smoke for decades to come should be a symbol of the very best that Britain can design, build and support." While the plan does not reveal what model will eventually replace the Hawk, it will be decided via a competition the RAF has been getting ready to launch, reports the UK Defence Journal. Among the aircraft that are being considered include the Boeing and Saab T-7A Red Hawk, the Leonardo M-346 as well as the Korean T-50. Former Red Arrows pilots have called for the eventual replacement jet to be British-made, as it would represent a national symbol for the country. Another issue that will need to be dealt with is advanced training of the RAF's future fast-jet pilots that were carried out on the modern Hawk T2 at Anglesey's RAF Valley. The 28 aircraft started being used in 2012 but have faced numerous engine issues, and have limited how many jets are available on any given day. The defence investment plan has also pledged to invest £1.1billion to upgrade the RAF's Typhoon fighters that are based in Lincolnshire in addition to massive investments in drone tech.