UK Opens RAF Advanced Jet Trainer Race: T-7A, Leonardo, KAI and Türkiye’s HÜRJET in the Frame

The UK Ministry of Defence has launched a technical dialogue for the RAF’s next advanced jet trainer ahead of the Hawk’s 2030 exit. Boeing-Saab’s T-7A, Leonardo, KAI and Turkish Aerospace’s HÜRJET are all positioning for the competition.

At a Glance

The MoD opened a technical dialogue on August 7; suppliers have until September 11, 2026 to respond.
The Red Arrows’ Hawk T1s leave service by December 31, 2030; Hawk T2 issues accelerated the timeline.
The new aircraft will train pilots for fifth- and sixth-generation platforms and equip the Red Arrows.
Contenders: Boeing-Saab T-7A (with BAE Systems), Leonardo, KAI and Turkish Aerospace’s HÜRJET.
The MoD lists “maximising participation by the British defence and aerospace industry” as a priority.

The Shape of the Competition

The technical dialogue opened on August 7 is the first formal step in replacing the RAF’s advanced jet training capability. Interested suppliers must submit documentation by September 11, 2026. The winning aircraft will train pilots destined for fifth- and sixth-generation fighters — and fly as the Red Arrows’ new display jet.

The timeline is driven by the Hawk fleet: the T1s flown by the Red Arrows exit service by the end of 2030, while the newer Hawk T2’s recurring operational problems have brought the replacement need forward. The MoD has flagged maximum British industrial participation as a core objective.

Four Contenders, One Surprise Entrant

Boeing and Saab announced BAE Systems as their UK industrial partner for the T-7A at Farnborough, making the Red Hawk the presumptive frontrunner. Leonardo brings an established UK footprint, and Korea Aerospace Industries is seeking British partners. The fourth contender is Turkish Aerospace’s HÜRJET — fresh from Spain’s selection of 45 aircraft worth around €3.1 billion, the first Western/NATO export of a Turkish combat jet.

For Ankara, a competition in a founding NATO member’s trainer fleet would be a global breakthrough for its aviation industry; Spain’s order already answers many certification and interoperability questions.

Why It Matters

As the Hawk’s half-century story closes, this is one of the most prestigious trainer competitions in the world — and the first where a Turkish jet lines up against Boeing, Leonardo and KAI on British soil.