Hawk T2 jets are used by the RAF for training purposes. Credit: © 2022 Royal Air Force. UK Crown Copyright.

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce have been awarded an 11-year contract to provide in-service support for the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Hawk aircraft fleet.

Awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the total contract investment is $911m (£695m), which includes support for Hawk TMk2 and Hawk TMk1 aircraft used by the Red Arrows, RAF’s aerobatics team.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

A key part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS), the Hawks are a vital asset in delivering fast jet training to trainee pilots.

Once the training is complete, the pilots will fly RAF’s F-35B Lightning and Typhoon fighter jets.

Under this $911m investment, the MoD has awarded two separate agreements, which include a $773m (£590m) contract with BAE Systems and a $137m (£105m) contract with Rolls-Royce.

UK Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said: “This contract will provide aircraft support to maintain the delivery of pilot training and the Red Arrows long into the future. 

“It underlines our commitment to providing the highest quality training and aircraft to the future pilots of our Armed Forces.”

The BAE Systems contract will cover Hawk T2 airframe support elements and help deliver efficiencies, through technology and new work methodologies.

It will also drive savings, which will be again used for improving RAF’s training capability.

BAE Systems, along with its partner, Babcock International, will provide in-depth maintenance to the Hawk TMk1 aircraft.

Meanwhile, the contract with Rolls-Royce will support the Adour engine fitted on the BAE Systems Hawk TMk2 trainer aircraft and Hawk TMk1 jets.

As part of this contract, Rolls-Royce will be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of the two Adour engine variants.

The company will perform the MRO work at its defence headquarters in Bristol, UK. It will also deploy representatives to offer onsite operations advice at RAF Valley.

A twin-spool, counter-rotating turbofan engine, Adour offers 5,000lb to 8,000lb in thrust.