See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 10:26 BST, 23 May 2026 | Updated: 11:42 BST, 23 May 2026
The Red Arrows will cut the number of planes in most of their displays from nine to seven aircraft to rotate older engines that are no longer in production.The Chief of the Air Staff made the decision to reduce the fleet size until 2030 to make better use of the ageing engines and the engineering resources available.Seven planes will now take to the skies to put on an aerial display for the Red Arrows' first show of the season in Crete, Greece, on May 24.But, the Royal Air Force aerobatic team will still perform in the 'diamond nine' formation on special occasions including King Charles' birthday and for the 250th Independence Day commemorations in the US.In 2021, the government extended the use of the Red Arrows Hawk T1 aircraft, which have performed nearly 4,000 displays worldwide, until 2030 when they are due to be retired.The Hawk T1 jet, which has been in service since 1980, requires significant maintenance and spare parts that have become more challenging to replace over time.Until the Ministry of Defence buy a new fleet, a reduced formation of seven aircraft will remain for the majority of displays. Further delays have been caused by the defence investment plan which should have been published last autumn. The number of Red Arrows aircraft that will perform in the majority of its displays will be reduced from nine to seven The Hawk T1 jet has been in service since 1980 and has performed nearly 4,000 displays worldwide. It is set to be retired in 2030 The Royal Air Force aerobatic team will still perform in the 'diamond nine' formation on the King's birthdayAircraft manufacturer Aerialis Ltd was in line to build the next generation of Red Arrows but went into administration on May 15.The aerospace company said the move was due to delays in the release of the plan and financial issues.British aircraft manufacturers are at risk of being frozen out of the race to replace the ageing T1 aircraft as the Red Arrows may be forced to fly foreign-built jets.The global symbol of UK engineering and soft power could be replaced by major US and European firms vying for the aircraft procurement contract.An RAF spokesperson said: 'The Red Arrows will fly in a nine-aircraft formation for HM The King's Birthday Flypast and the 4th of July 250 Commemorations in the USA this year.'For other displays, they will operate with seven aircraft, continuing to deliver high-quality, engaging displays at air shows and events across the UK, mainland Europe and further afield.'This will support the sustainable management of the Hawk T1 fleet and prepare the team for a transition to a future aircraft type.'Ageing engines and contract issues have not been the only problem the Red Arrows have faced.At Rhyl Air Show, a bird collided with a Red Arrows jet and shattered the cockpit during a display. The collision brought an abrupt end to the show. A Hawk T1 jet crashed into the runway at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, on March 20 2018 killing a Red Arrows engineer and injuring the pilot who ejected earlier. The Red Arrows previously flew with seven aircraft in the 1960s, in 2012 and in 2021.
