A really productive meeting today with Tristan Crawford and Robin Southwell from AERALIS.
AERALIS are a transformational British military jet developer currently developing a modular solution to the Royal Air Force’s next jet trainer. If approved, this would potentially be a significant advancement in our flying training programme. In addition this would be the replacement jet for the Red Arrows.
The Red Arrows’ iconic Hawk T1s will reach their out-of-service date in 2030 at the ripe old age of 50. AERALIS is currently the only British solution to their next plane and would keep the Red Arrows British, rather than flying an option from another nation, likely Italy/Russia, the US or Czechia.
I have a real interest in Defence, as I’m sure you’re already aware, and having looked at the options available am hugely excited by AERALIS’s proposition. Speaking to Tristan and Robin it was clear that the project has huge potential. Following on from my conversations with the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Defence Secretary John Healey regarding investment in Huntingdon from the Government’s £400m Defence Innovation Fund, AERALIS are keen to invest locally should the project get the green light and this could potentially bring high quality technical employment opportunities to the local area.
