Originally Posted by
HEDP
How would this stack up versus giving them to the Red Arrows to replace the Hawks thereby effectively removing a type from the inventory? To make the numbers required, combine with the Tranche 2 T2's.
I thought the best savings were made by removing types...
Broadly correct in terms of total fleet costs, but probably not in this case.
The costs of operating a bespoke bunch of 2 seater Typhoons must be considerably greater than the very (relatively) simple Hawk T1. twice the number of engines, hugely increased fuel burn and so forth.
There are sufficient spare Hawk frames to maintain the Reds up to the OSD. Not so with this finite number tranche1 2 seat Typhoons ?