Britain's Red Arrows face backlash over Italian aircraft switch
The British Red Arrows may replace their legendary aircraft with Italian M-346s, sparking controversy in the UK. This has been reported by "The Sun".
The British team is considering replacing their 50-year-old BAE Hawk aircraft with the Italian Aermacchi M-346. These aircraft were initially developed through a collaboration between Russia and Italy, which is contentious, especially given current geopolitical tensions.
The decision has faced sharp criticism from the Conservative Party. MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke, a former Defence Minister, described this move as "outrageous." He stated, "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," as quoted by "The Sun".
The reason for considering such a decision is the closure of the factory in Yorkshire in 2020, which previously produced Hawk aircraft. Alternative UK solutions are still in the early development stage. The Bristol-based company Aeralis is working on a new aircraft but has yet to present a prototype.
Other options include an upgraded version of the BAE Hawk, Boeing's American training aircraft, or the Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. However, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is considering the Italian M-346, which costs about £18 million.
This aircraft was initially developed as the YAK/AEM-130 in 1996, following a collaboration between the Italian company Aermacchi and the Russian Yakovlev.
Russian planes in the UK? It's going to cause a stir
Former Air Marshal Edward Stringer emphasised that the "Red Arrows" showcase British equipment, training, and expertise. Meanwhile, former Chief of the Air Staff Sir Mike Graydon warned, "This would be an extraordinary decision. There would be a strong reaction from the public."
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 - said British expert Tim Davies.
