Farnborough 2026: BAE Systems, Boeing, Saab formalise Red Hawk bid to UK

A full scale mock-up of the T-7A Red Hawk adorned with Union Jack tail scheme was displayed outside the BAE Systems hall at Farnborough. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab have formalised their earlier declared intent to pitch the T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft to the UK as part of a wider pilot training solution.

Announced on 21 July at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the signing of a formal partnership on a next generation pilot training offer for the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) followed the announcement of a letter of intent in November 2025.

“The agreement marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the three companies and commits to a new UK-based final assembly and integration facility,” a joint statement said, adding that the agreement offers the potential for a UK supply chain to take a role throughout the lifecycle of a RAF T-7A programme, “ensuring the UK has sovereign control over its own training requirements”.

Developed by Boeing and Saab, the T-7A was designed for the US Air Force's (USAF's) T-X Advanced Pilot Training programme to replace the USAF's 1960s-era Northrop T-38 Talon, for which it was contracted in 2018 with an order for 351 aircraft. Powered by a single General Electric F404 powerplant (the same as fitted to the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and Saab Gripen C/D combat aircraft), the T-7 is a tandem twin-seat AJT that features a large-area display cockpit to give it the look and feel of a modern fighter, as well as a sidestick and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls. Performance attributes include a high subsonic (Mach 0.9) top speed at 10,000 ft, a service ceiling of 45,000 ft, +7.5 g (sustained 6 g