RAF Red Arrows fleet in danger of being replaced with RUSSIAN jets - 'It’s an insult!'

Conservatives have expressed anger over the potential decision, calling it "outrageous."

With the Yorkshire factory that produced the BAE Hawks closing in 2020 and the leading UK alternative still years away, the RAF may have no choice but to turn to Russian-designed jets.

This would be in direct contrast to the Red Arrows’ stated mission of promoting British industry and “reinforcing the reputation of the UK”.

Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said on Saturday: “When the Red Arrows perform their brilliant air displays, their red, white and blue vapour trails represent the Union Jack — not the Russian tricolour.”

He added: “Taxpayers would think it extraordinary”.

Former defence minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke weighed in, calling the move “outrageous”.

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He said: “For a country which has stood strong alongside Ukraine, it sends entirely the wrong message. It’s an insult to the thousands who have died.”

Former Chief Air Marshal Sir Mike Graydon warned that the move would spark a “strong reaction from the public.”

Since its establishment in 1954, the Red Arrows have always flown British-made aircrafts, starting with the Folland Gnat and later transitioning to the BAE Hawk.

Their predecessors, the Black Arrows, also flew British-made Hawker Hunters.

The team's Hawk T1s are set to be retired by 2030, while the newer Hawk T2s, which are crucial for pilot training, have been plagued by engine issues.

These are expected to be replaced by 2040, though in November, Chief Air Marshal Sir Rich Knighton expressed a desire to replace the Hawk T2s "as soon as we can."

Bristol-based Aeralis is currently the most well-positioned UK company to take over, although they have yet to produce a prototype.

Other potential alternatives include an upgraded BAE Hawk, a US-made Boeing trainer, or the Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle.

However, the Government has confirmed it is also considering the £19million Aermacchi M-346 jet, developed by Russia and Italy.

There are photos of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian version of the jet (the Yak-130), and the Kremlin has sold the fighter version to their ally Iran.

Ex-RAF fast jet instructor Tim Davies likened buying a Russian jet to treason, telling The Sun: “To replace this aircraft with anything that isn't British would be a significant mistake, it would tell the world that the UK has lost it, that we can no longer design and build great training aircraft.”

“To buy anything else, especially the Italian M-346 which is based on the Russian Yak-130 would be bordering on being treasonous.”

Maria Eagle, the Defence Minister, said: “The Aermacchi M-346 fast jet trainer is one of several market options available.”

The Ministry of Defence added: “This is complete speculation. We have not yet engaged the market on the future Red Arrows jet and all UK options would of course be considered.”

Leonardo, the new owners of Aermacchi, stated that the M-346 was manufactured in Europe “to the most stringent Nato standards."

They added that the aircraft is used for training by at least 10 Nato air forces, including the RAF, whose pilots have had to train in Italy using Italian jets because of a shortage of operational Hawks in the UK.

A Leonardo spokesman said: “The M-346 trainer is being assessed as an option for a number of emerging requirements, including by the United States.”

They added: “To-date, there have been no discussions with the UK Ministry of Defence about the possibility of the M-346 being used by the Red Arrows.”