'There will always be a place for the Red Arrows'

The former team leader of the Red Arrows said there will "always be a place" for the aerobatic team, amid talks over the replacement of the ageing jets.

Wing Commander Jon Bond, who was Red 1 for the fleet for the past three years, bowed out on Friday, his last day.

"I'm sure we'll see the red, white and blue for many years to come," Bond said.

The current Hawk T1s - which have been flown by the Red Arrows since 1980 - are due to be retired in 2030, with the government announcing in June that the fleet would get new jets as part of a £15bn increase in military spending.

In June, the Red Arrows announced it would fly with fewer aircraft for most of its displays as it sought to preserve its ageing fleet.

Despite this, Defence Secretary John Healey said last year that there was "no threat" to the future of the team, despite the current March 2030 retirement date for the fleet.

After British aerospace company Aeralis, which had been developing a replacement for the Red Arrows fight jets, went into administration, it was announced by the UK's defence investment plan (DIP) that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had committed to investing £360m as part of plans to bring in new Red Arrow jets.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire on his final day, Bond said: "There will always be a place for the Red Arrows and long may it continue.

"I'll hand over to my replacement who has got some fantastic ideas to keep the team moving forward."

On leaving the team, the former frontline Typhoon pilot said: "To have been trusted to lead a team with such history and significance has been the greatest honour of my career."

Squadron Leader Chris McCann and Flight Lieutenant Dustin Wales have also bid farewell to the aerobatic team following the 2026 season.

It has not yet been announced who will replace Bond.

The MoD said: "Through the Defence Investment Plan, we are investing £360m into a new fast-jet training system, which allows the Red Arrows to replace the ageing Hawk aircraft.

"As part of advancing this programme, we are engaging with industry on our requirements."

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