The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) The Red Arrows will fly future displays with only seven aircraft in a bid to preserve the ageing Hawk T1 aircraft ahead of its planned replacement.
The Red Arrows have flown the Hawk T1 since 1980, and although the type is due to be retired by 2030 no replacement has yet been announced.
In a statement, the RAF said the scaling back from nine jets to seven on displays would “support the sustainable management of the fleet and prepare the team for a transition to a future aircraft type”.
The team has always flown with nine aircraft and has the Diamond Nine as one of its signature moves, but has previously flown seasons with just seven aircraft.
The successor to the Hawk T1 is likely to come from the UK’s Fast Jet Trainer programme, which will select a new training aircraft for the RAF to train future fast jet pilots. BAE Systems and Leonardo are amongst the companies developing proposals.
King Charles III’s birthday flypast in June will still feature all nine aircraft.
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