Could Türkiye’s Hurjet replace UK’s aging Hawk training jets?

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is actively exploring options to replace its aging fleet of Hawk T1 & T2 advanced jet trainers, and Türkiye’s Hurjet has emerged as a potential contender alongside other international candidates.

Speaking at the annual CAS Conference hosted by the Freeman Air and Space Power Institute at King’s College London, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rich Knighton expressed his desire to phase out the Hawk T2 jets as soon as possible, citing recurring technical and performance issues.

The Red Arrows: Future uncertain without replacements

The future of the Red Arrows, the RAF’s iconic aerobatic display team, is also under scrutiny.

The team currently operates Hawk T1 jets, which are scheduled to be retired by 2030. Concerns have been raised about the structural fatigue of these aircraft, some of which have surpassed 10,000 flight hours, approaching their operational limits.

While UK defense officials insist that the current fleet can remain operational until 2030, no definitive decision has been made regarding their replacement. The Strategic Defence Review, expected later this year, is anticipated to address this issue.

Hurjet as potential contender

The Hurjet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is a next-generation advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed to meet the evolving needs of modern air forces.

The aircraft positioned Türkiye as a competitive and cost-effective option for countries seeking advanced training platforms.

With its state-of-the-art avionics, enhanced maneuverability, and versatile mission capabilities, the Hurjet has drawn international interest since its unveiling. Even made its first export deal without actually entering the service of the Turkish Air Force.

Recently, Türkiye and Spain have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on the Hurjet Trainer Aircraft project.

The announcement came after Hurjet’s demonstration flight in Spain for the Spanish Air Force. According to defense analysts, Spain plans to replace its aging fleet of F-5 aircraft with 24 Hurjets.

Hurjet, developed by TAI, is designed to modernize the training fleet of the Turkish Air Force and has garnered interest from other nations, including Azerbaijan and Canada.

Hurjet also made its first international demonstration flight in Egypt during a defense exhibition.

Strategic and economic considerations

Replacing the RAF’s training fleet is not just about aircraft performance but also about strategic partnerships and economic viability. While domestic solutions, such as the Bristol-based Aeralis jet project, are being considered, the development timeline remains uncertain.

International manufacturers, including Boeing, Saab, Leonardo, and Lockheed Martin, are also vying for the lucrative contract. However, the procurement process is expected to extend over several years, delaying any immediate operational transition. Türkiye is in a position to address urgent needs with its rapid production capacity.

In particular, Türkiye’s interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon and the fact that it will procure it, and the U.K.’s persuasion of the other consortium countries in this process, show that the doors of such cooperation between Türkiye and the U.K. may be open.

The cost of delay

Former RAF pilots have expressed concern over the prolonged uncertainty surrounding fleet replacements. One former RAF fast-jet pilot noted, “If they don’t get new aircraft, the Reds are finished.” The sentiment underscores the growing urgency to finalize a decision.

Another senior RAF officer, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, highlighted the limitations of aging airframes, stating that fatigue from high-stress maneuvers is significantly reducing the operational lifespan of existing jets.

Türkiye’s Hurjet has also performed aerobatic displays, and Ankara will also replace the existing aerobatic fleet of Turkish stars with the Hurjet. The idea is that the Red Arrows’ salvation can also be achieved cost-effectively with the Hurjets.

As the RAF awaits the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the future of both its training fleet and the Red Arrows remains unclear for now.

For now, the Hurjets stand among several competitors in the race to replace the UK’s aging Hawk trainers and its Red Arrows aerobatic display team.

Challenges with the Hawk T2 fleet

The Hawk T2, manufactured by BAE Systems, has been plagued by persistent engine problems and rising maintenance costs. Despite these challenges, the jets remain a core component of the RAF’s advanced pilot training program.

Advanced jet trainer aircraft: Hurjet

The Hurjet Jet Trainer, designed with a single engine, tandem seating, and a modern avionics suite-equipped cockpit, is built to play a critical role by utilizing its superior performance features.

The Hurjet Project was initiated to replace the T-38 aircraft used for advanced jet training and the F-5 aircraft used in aerobatic displays within the Turkish Air Force inventory.

Turkish Aerospace launched the Hurjet Program to address market potential by leveraging its cost-effective knowledge and experience in training aircraft/system production and design.

The first Hurjet Jet Trainer made its maiden flight on April 25, 2023, and has since completed over 150 test activities. During its initial prototype phase, Hurjet exceeded an altitude of 45,000 feet and broke the sound barrier.

It crossed the Mediterranean Sea for an overseas flight to participate in the Egypt International Aviation and Space Fair, performing a demonstration flight over the Giza Pyramids.

In the ongoing Hurjet project, following the completion of the second prototype’s production phase, its first flight was conducted on Nov. 12, 2024. During this flight, Hurjet P2 remained airborne for 26 minutes, reaching a speed of 200 knots and an altitude of 10,000 feet.

Hurjet P2 completed its second flight on November 21, 2024. Serial production activities for the Hurjet Jet Trainer, developed by engineers at Turkish Aerospace, are ongoing. The delivery of Hurjet to the Turkish Air Force Command is planned for 2026.