RAF Hawk T1 cleared to fly while T2 training fleet remains grounded

Yesterday, the RAF announced that following detailed analysis and a series of precautionary inspections, the Hawk T1 has returned to flying service. It said, “All the necessary safety checks have been completed, and the aircraft is now operating as planned.”

The Hawk T1 is the aerobatic variant of the BAE Hawk flown by the Red Arrows team. ADS Advanced previously reported that the RAF grounded both the Hawk T1 and T2 trainers without providing a timeline for their return to service.

As of the time of writing, there has not been any announcement that the Hawk T2 trainer has been cleared to resume training operations. It is also unclear what impact this pause will have on the training pipeline for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

The RAF originally acquired 28 Hawk T2s (delivered 2009-2012); following the crash, it has a fleet of 27 remaining, while the Red Arrows continue to operate a fleet of ten Hawk T1s.

Pilots recovering after Wednesday’s Hawk T2 crash

Last week, the BAE Hawk T2 crashed during the initial climb shortly after take-off. Videos showed its two pilots ejecting and parachuting out of the aircraft moments before it crashed and exploded in a ball of fire, narrowly missing homes.

At the time, the RAF acknowledged that an RAF T2 Hawk had crashed while operating out of RAF Valley in Wales, adding that an investigation was underway and there would be no comment at that time. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

Hawk T2 crash, RAF Valley today.

I'll do an analysis video to be out for 1930 on my channel.https://t.co/Y0YDTp4omM pic.twitter.com/P2O6AWWCiR

— Fast Jet Performance 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ✈️ (@timdavies_uk) September 23, 2026

The next day, the RAF stated both pilots were receiving medical care and that it had decided to temporarily pause its Hawk T1 and T2 operations “as a precautionary measure.”

Another update said the pilots were in “extremely good spirits” and were expected to make a full recovery.

RAF’s plans to replace its Hawk trainer fleet

The RAF is moving forward with plans to replace its Hawk trainer fleet starting in 2030. A number of contenders are expected to bid for the programme, but the BAE Systems offer with a locally assembled version of the Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk is considered a front-runner.

Leonardo’s M-346 A is considered another notable candidate. As the trainer production line shut down years ago, it is now no longer considered feasible for the UK to design and build its own domestic trainer, as it previously did with the BAE Hawk.

The UK-based start-up, Aeralis, had pitched its own modular British solution, but it collapsed in May 2026 after years of uncertainty.

The Hawk was designed and built in Britain and was considered one of its most successful military aircraft exports. Over 1,000 Hawks were built for customers around the world.