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Red Arrows aerobatic team 'around for a while yet' | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The Red Arrows aerobatic team will be "around for a while yet", Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has said. | |
The announcement comes as RAF stations in Lincolnshire celebrate their 100th anniversary. | The announcement comes as RAF stations in Lincolnshire celebrate their 100th anniversary. |
There has been some uncertainty in recent years whether the team, based at RAF Scampton, would be retained. | |
Sir Michael said: "They are a key part of our defence engagement..., and I don't think the public would let us lose the Red Arrows." | |
There has been speculation in the media in recent years that the Red Arrows could be axed as part of defence cuts in the UK. | There has been speculation in the media in recent years that the Red Arrows could be axed as part of defence cuts in the UK. |
In 2014, The Express reported the Queen was said to be worried about the team's future. | In 2014, The Express reported the Queen was said to be worried about the team's future. |
Politicians, including Labour's Vernon Coaker, have also previously said there can be no guarantees. | Politicians, including Labour's Vernon Coaker, have also previously said there can be no guarantees. |
Speaking to BBC Look North, Sir Michael said: "Eventually we will have to replace the aircraft, and we will start to think about that in the next year or two." | |
He said any attempts to axe the team is "not a fight I would have". | |
The Red Arrows is currently taking part in a 60-day world tour aiming to promote "the best of British", which includes its first ever display in China. | |
RAF Waddington, Cranwell and Scampton are all holding events marking 100 years in the county. | RAF Waddington, Cranwell and Scampton are all holding events marking 100 years in the county. |
Sir Michael added that "Lincolnshire is central to the RAF's story, and has a proud history". | |
He cited the Dambusters' role in World War Two, and the Vulcan involvement in the Falklands conflict, and the work being done today to tackle terrorism in the Middle East. | He cited the Dambusters' role in World War Two, and the Vulcan involvement in the Falklands conflict, and the work being done today to tackle terrorism in the Middle East. |
RAF Cranwell is also home to the RAF's Central Flying School, which under the leadership of Robert Smith-Barry, revolutionised flight training for new pilots. | RAF Cranwell is also home to the RAF's Central Flying School, which under the leadership of Robert Smith-Barry, revolutionised flight training for new pilots. |
History of the Red Arrows | History of the Red Arrows |
Amendment: This story was changed on November 1 to reflect the defence secretary's comments that the Red Arrows fleet would be reviewed rather than imminently replaced. |