THE next generation of Red Arrows jets could be built in Scotland under plans announced last night.
The Qatar-backed start-up Aeralis picked Scotland’s Prestwick Airport as its preferred site for assembly of a new jet trainer aircraft.
The Sun revealed the Red Arrows could run out of Hawk T1 jets as they are due to retire in 2030.
And the Government is considering a Russian designed aircraft to replace them.
Aeralis is the only UK company to offer the Government a jet trainer aircraft which could be designed and built in Britain.
But they are yet to build a prototybe.
Ian Forgie, chief executive of Prestwick Airport, said: “We are tremendously excited about this agreement with Aeralis and the opportunity it brings to generate jobs, apprenticeships, investment and innovation in the Prestwick area.
“We look forward to working with Aeralis to make this happen.”
Tristan Crawford, chief executive of Aeralis, said: “Prestwick represents an ideal site for our UK final assembly line.”
The company said it “awaits UK Government commitment to the aircraft in order to move forward with these plans that will clearly return Scotland to its deserved place as a first-tier aviation nation”.
The Red Arrows have always flown British jets.
But arms giant BAE are in talks with America’s Boeing about building a US jet on British soil to replace the Hawk T1.
The Red Arrows perform a display during Armed Forces Day in June[/caption]
