Red Arrows could be grounded for YEARS due to Keir Starmer 'sitting on his hands' on defence

The Red Arrows could be grounded for years, defence sources have warned after a 12-month delay to the Government's Defence Investment Plan (DIP) means there is almost no time to buy new jets before the current Hawk aircraft retire in 2030.

The DIP, which was published just days ago, has come under fire with insiders calling the timeline "almost impossible".

Experts have warned the RAF's aircraft - whose engines are now over 40 years old - could be "stood down" for several years in what is set to be a blow to thousands of enthusiasts and an embarrassment for the RAF and the Government.

Defence Eye editor Tim Ripley said it usually takes more than four years to get a new jet from signing the contract to delivery.

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He told Mail Online: "You are looking at a four-year-plus time scale from signing on the dotted line with the manufacturer to a working jet being delivered to the RAF.

"The Red Arrows requirement throws in added complications. After the basic conversion to the aircraft, to do aerobatic flying, pilots would need a period of rehearsals and training to get ready for displays.

"On top of that the jets would need to go through the stringent RAF safety trials.

"Most experts would say this is almost impossible to do in the time the Red Arrows have left on the Hawk."

Retired Wing Commander Andrew Brookes added the deadline was now out of reach and blamed the MoD, Treasury and the Prime Minister for failing to act sooner.

He also told the publication: "I don't think they have a chance of getting the new aircraft for Red Arrows by 2030 if they have a competition and go to the market.

"No one gripped this and everyone from the MoD, the Treasury and Keir Starmer just sat on their hands, leading to this mess."

Responding to the reports, an RAF spokesman told GB News: "The Red Arrows are known globally for their world-class precision, speed, and teamwork.

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"Through the Defence Investment Plan, we are investing £360 million into a new fast-jet training system, which allows the Red Arrows to replace the ageing Hawk aircraft.

"The programme will move quickly and aim to avoid any potential capability gap."

GB News understands the training programme is ongoing and that at time of writing no final procurement decisions have been made.

In addition, The People's Channel also understands it is an "aspiration" to have the replacements ready by 2030.

Retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell said the Red Arrows were too important for the RAF to lose, adding he wasn't worried, and that any gap could be managed.

In evidence, he pointed to the team having stood down before, early in its history, and come back.

The warnings come as the Red Arrows tour America to mark 250 years of independence.

On Saturday, Britain's most famous flying crew took to the skies over New York, trailing red, white and blue smoke past the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center.

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