Türkiye’s national jet trainer aircraft HÜRJET’s export plan for the United Kingdom has faced significant uncertainty following a new development from London. British defence and aerospace giant BAE Systems has signed a letter of intent with US-based Boeing and Sweden’s Saab to support the T-7A Red Hawk platform for the Royal Air Force’s new jet trainer.
The fact that the T-7A Red Hawk has taken the lead in the training aircraft tender launched by the UK has been interpreted by both independent experts and international defence sources as placing HÜRJET at a disadvantage in the competition.
BAE Systems Preparing to Reopen the Hawk Production Line for the T-7
It has been reported that BAE Systems is preparing to reactivate the serial assembly line of the Hawk jet trainer aircraft, the production of which was halted in 2020, for the T-7A Red Hawk. It is also among the information received that Boeing has submitted an additional proposal for assembling the T-7 in the UK.
The T-7A is competing with the M-346, TF-50 and HÜRJET, which are being evaluated by London within the scope of the programme. In addition, the domestically produced modular design concept of the British company Aeralis also remains in the competition.
Red Hawk, a Candidate for the UK’s Next-Generation Pilot Training System
Boeing and Saab argue that the T-7A Red Hawk is the most suitable platform for transitional training to fourth, fifth and sixth-generation fighter aircraft. These aircraft include the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35 and the next-generation fighter aircraft project GCAP/Tempest.
The UK plans to retire its long-serving Hawk T1 aircraft and the Hawk T2 aircraft used in advanced pilot training in the coming period. With only half of the Hawk T2 fleet able to fly due to engine, avionics and sensor failures, London’s transition to a new jet trainer platform has become urgent.
4-Year Delay in the T-7A Red Hawk: Delivery Date Announced
Boeing officials speaking to the American defence publication The War Zone stated that due to technical issues experienced by the T-7A Red Hawk, its delivery schedule to the US Air Force has been delayed by approximately four years, and the aircraft is not expected to reach full operational capability before 2027.
Steve Parker, President of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, announced that the first T-7A Red Hawk will be delivered to the US Air Force next month at Randolph Base in Texas.
“We Can Exceed 100 Aircraft Per Year”
Boeing’s senior executives are extremely ambitious regarding T-7 production capacity. Bernd Peters, Boeing’s Vice President of Business Development, stated that the T-7 has high export potential, adding that negotiations with countries—particularly in the Middle East—that operate F-15, F-16 and F-35 fleets are ongoing.
Steve Parker emphasised the scalability of the T-7 programme, saying, “We will be able to exceed 100 aircraft per year, and we can further increase our capacity if demand arises.”
Competition Intensifies for HÜRJET
Although TUSAŞ’s HÜRJET has a strong technical profile in the UK competition, the new cooperation between BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab indicates that London’s inclination appears to be leaning toward the T-7. HÜRJET’s prospects in the UK are expected to become clearer with the official result of the tender.
