UK Launches Jet Trainer Tender
"The UK Defense Ministry issued a request for information (RFI) to industry on Aug. 8 for the Jet Training System (JTS), launching market engagement for the program...
JTS aims to replace the Hawk T1s flown by the Red Arrows aerobatic team and the more modern Hawk T2s currently used for advanced jet training...
The program calls for a “significant UK workshare” in the procurement. The UK Defense Investment Plan set aside funding worth £360 million ($485 million) over the next four years to kick-start the program, with Minister for Defense Procurement Luke Pollard suggesting in July the program could be enabled by funding from the private sector...
Some airframers have already declared interest in the program. BAE Systems is proposing the Boeing/Saab T-7 Red Hawk platform. Leonardo plans to offer the Blk. 20 model M-346, but does not yet have a UK partner for the program...
Formal requirements and numbers of aircraft for the program are yet to be revealed...
Submissions for the RFI are expected by Sept. 11."
The UK has launched a long-awaited tender to replace the BAE Systems Hawks jet trainers used for advanced training and by the Red Arrows aerobatic team.
aviationweek.com
It's unclear if Airbus will have a joint bid with TAI to offer Hürjet. BAE already teamed with Boeing/Saab to offer T-7 and Leonardo do have few relationships with UK companies they can use to offer M346. Sadly chances for Hürjet winning this is very low, but not zero.