Red Arrows to get new jets replacing ageing Hawk

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Red Arrows to get new jets replacing ageing HawkImage source, ReutersImage caption, The Red Arrows will get replacements for their aging Hawk jetsByStuart HarrattEast Yorkshire and LincolnshirePublished42 minutes agoThe Red Arrows will get new jets as part of a £15bn increase in military spending, the government has announced. According to the UK's defence investment plan (DIP), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has committed to investing £360m in developing a new "British Jet Trainer System", which will include "new jets for the Red Arrows to replace the ageing Hawk aircraft". Last month, the team said it would fly with fewer aircraft at most displays in a bid to extend the lifespan of the Hawk, which entered service in the 1980s.

Welcoming the announcement, former Red Arrows pilot Andy Wyatt said: "It provides much-needed certainty that the process of replacing the Hawk aircraft is finally moving forward. "He said: "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.

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"Image source, Andy WyattImage caption, Former Red Arrows pilot Andy Wyatt said he welcomed the news of new aircraftThe DIP also pledges £1. 1bn to upgrade the RAF's Typhoon fighters based at RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, alongside major investments in drone technology. However, it announced the early retirement of the Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft based at RAF Waddington.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons "tough choices" had been made to fund the investment, with all government departments "asked to contribute 1% of their capital budgets from this year". But the shadow defence secretary, James Cartlidge, said the plan was "too little, too late". Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on Sounds, and watch the latest episode of Look North.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.