12
Failure to capitalise on Hawk success led to loss of UK manufacturing capacity.
Conclusion
The Hawk trainer aircraft has been a UK defence export success story, but with domestic production lines closing four years ago the skills and manufacturing capacity which had built up over decades will prove challenging and costly to regenerate. We recognise that innovative training solutions, including modular aircraft and synthetics, may offer new opportunities for industry; but we find the failure to capitalise on the success of Hawk remarkably short-sighted and deeply regrettable. (Conclusion, Paragraph 82) Workforce and industrial capacity
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 21 March 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.
Source
Committee
Defence Committee
Inquiry
Future Aviation Capabilities
Report
3rd report - The Global Combat Air Programme
14 Jan 2025
HC 598
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Defence
Timeline
Recommendation age
1.7 yrs
Report published
14 Jan 2025