Nuovi frecce rosse jet saranno costruiti in Scozia

Might be built*

It’s a concept aircraft that doesn’t exist yet…. On a contract they haven’t won yet. I wouldn’t bet on it.

Article contents:

*[Daniel Sanderson](https://www.thetimes.com/profile/daniel-sanderson1), Scottish Political Editor, July 4 2025, The Times*

The next generation of Red Arrows will be “Scottish as well as British” after it emerged they will be assembled at an SNP government-owned airport.

The defence aviation firm Aeralis said that it had agreed a deal with Prestwick airport to build a facility for the final assembly of its UK aircraft.

The company is developing a modular light jet aircraft which will [replace the Hawk T1,](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/raf-pilots-trained-abroad-jet-engines-blowing-up-68htvssv6) currently used by the Red Arrows, which are due to be retired by the end of the decade. The site will also be used to assemble training aircraft and fighter jets for the RAF and Nato.

The facility in Ayrshire is to go ahead despite an SNP ban on using [taxpayer support for “munitions” projects.](https://apple.news/PgIsjGGLcri2SERl0wS5Wze) The airport was nationalised by the Scottish government in 2013 to save it from closure. It has since returned to profitability and the airport said the deal would create jobs, apprenticeships and investment.

Alan Gemmell, the Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, said: “I am proud to support Aeralis’s commitment to Ayrshire.

“Their decision to commit to assembly and servicing here is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring jet manufacturing back to Prestwick. The Red Arrows

This would mean air forces would no longer need substantially different maintenance operations for each type of aircraft. The design can also be upgraded more easily, rather than having to scrap old aircraft and replace them with completely new designs.