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List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

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For RAF aircraft no longer in service, see List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force. For aircraft expected to enter service with the RAF in the future, see Future of the Royal Air Force.

Tri-service badge of the United Kingdom's armed forces.

This is a list of military aircraft currently in service with the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom.

Royal Air Force

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Main article: Royal Air Force
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon European (British, German, Italian, Spanish) Jet Multi-role 2003 137[1] 137[a][2] [3] 16 Tranche 1s have been progressively withdrawn and scrapped under the RTP requirement[4] which started in late 2016.[5][6] All Tranche 1s (apart from 4, based in the Falklands)[7] to be retired by 2025.[8]
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning United States [9] (UK as Level 1 partner) Jet Stealth Multi-role 2013 36[b][10][11] 37[c] [11][12][13][14] Jointly operated with Fleet Air Arm. Maximum of 138 aircraft to be procured[15][16][17] One F-35B crashed November 2021.[18]
AEW&C
Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW.1 United States Jet AW&C 2022 - 3 Originally five orders, now reduced to three. In February 2023 it was stated that the order for three aircraft could gradually increase to five.[19][3]
Reconnaissance / Maritime Patrol
Beechcraft Shadow R.1 United States Propeller ISTAR 2009 8[20] 8[21] [3] Expected OSD 2030.[22] Current fleet expanded and upgraded.[23]
Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint United States Jet SIGINT 2013 3 3 [3] Formally known as Airseeker.[24]
Boeing P-8 Poseidon MRA.1 United States Jet ASW/Anti-ship[25] 2019 9 9
Tanker / Transport
Airbus Voyager Airbus (European, Multinational) Jet Tanker / Transport 2011 14[26] 14 [3][27]
Transport
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III United States Jet Transport 2001 8 8 [3]
Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 Airbus (European, Multinational) Propeller Transport 2014 22 22[d][28][29] [3] Up to six additional aircraft planned for procurement by 2030.[30][31][32]
Dassault Envoy IV CC.1 France Jet Transport 2022 2[33] 2 Two aircraft to be introduced from March 2022. To be initially operated under civil contract until 2026.[34]
Helicopter
Boeing Chinook United States Rotorcraft Transport 1980 37 51 14 HC.Mk 6A variants being withdrawn from service; to be replaced by 14 CH-47-ER variants from 2027; overall operational numbers to stabilize at c. 51 helicopters[35][36]
Airbus H145 Jupiter HC.2 Germany Rotorcraft Transport 2026 - 6 Six aircraft ordered; to replace former Puma HC2s deployed in Cyprus and Brunei from 2026.[37][38][39]
Trainer Aircraft
Airbus H135 Juno HT.1 Germany Rotorcraft Trainer 2018 29 29 [3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Airbus H145 Jupiter HT.1 Germany Rotorcraft Trainer 2018 7 7 [3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
BAE Systems Hawk T.2 United Kingdom Jet Jet trainer 2009 28 28 [3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by No. IV (R) Squadron & No. XXV(F) Squadron; aircraft to remain in service until 2040.[40][41]
Beechcraft Texan T1 United States Propeller Trainer 2018 14 14 [3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Embraer Phenom T.1 Brazil Jet Trainer 2018 5 5 [3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Grob Prefect T.1 Germany Propeller Trainer 2018 23 23 [3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Grob Tutor T.1 Germany Propeller Trainer 1999 91[e] 119 [3] Used by the RAF Air Experience Flight. 28 Tutors have been sold to the Finnish Air Force as of 2018.[42]
Grob Viking T.1 Germany Glider Trainer 1990 52 91 The Grob Viking T1 is the RAF's primary aircraft for delivering basic glider and flight training to the RAF Air Cadets.[3]
Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance UAVs
General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper United States UAV ISR / Attack 2007 10 10 [3] Extended in service but being replaced by Protector UAV.[43][44][45][46]
Protector RG1 United States UAV ISR / Attack 2023 7 16 16 ordered; seven aircraft reported operational (incl. 3 for test/evaluation in the US) as of early 2025[47][48]

RAF Red Arrows

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Main article: Red Arrows
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
British Aerospace Hawk T.1 United Kingdom Jet Trainer 1980 12 12 [3] Retired from aggressor role in March 2022;[49] retained by the Red Arrows; to be retired by 2030.[50]

RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

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Main article: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Avro Lancaster (PA474) United Kingdom Propeller Heavy bomber 1942 1 1 1 B.I
de Havilland Canada Chipmunk United Kingdom Propeller Trainer 1946 2 2 2 T.10
Douglas Dakota United States Propeller Transport 1942 1 1 1 C.3
Hawker Hurricane United Kingdom Propeller Fighter 1937 2 2 2 Mk IIc
Supermarine Spitfire United Kingdom Propeller Fighter 1938 5 6 1 Mk IIa, 1 Mk Vb, 1 LF Mk XVIe 2 PR Mk XIX

Army Air Corps

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Main article: Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Attack helicopters
Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian United States Helicopter Attack 2022 50[51][52] 50 50 Apache AH1 remanufactured to AH-64E specification. Armed with M230 cannon and JAGM, Hellfire K1 and Hellfire Romeo missiles.[53]
Reconnaissance helicopters
AgustaWestland Wildcat United Kingdom Rotorcraft Utility 2014 34 34 Up to 8 helicopters serve with the Fleet Air Arm's 847 Squadron in support of the Royal Marines.[54][55]
Transport helicopters
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II France Rotorcraft SAS 2009 5[56] 6
Tactical ISR UAV
Thales Watchkeeper WK450 United Kingdom UAV ISR 2014 46 54 8 systems have reportedly crashed since 2014.[57][3] To be retired in March 2025.[58]

Fleet Air Arm

[edit]
Main article: Fleet Air Arm
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Combat Aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning United States (UK as Level 1 partner) Jet Stealth Multi-role 2013 - - Jointly operated with Royal Air Force. Initial Operational Capability (Maritime) in 2020;[59] 809 Naval Air Squadron stood up in December 2023 with initial squadron operating capability projected for December 2024.[60]
Attack/Reconnaissance helicopters
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2 United Kingdom Rotorcraft Attack 2014 28 28 [3]
AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HM2 United Kingdom Rotorcraft ASW/AEW 2000 30 44 [3] Expected OSD 2040.[61][62]
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat AH1 United Kingdom Rotorcraft Utility/Reconnaissance 2014 - - Up to 8 Army Air Corps aircraft tasked to 847 Naval Air Squadron in support of the Royal Marines.[54]
Transport helicopters
AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin Mk4/4A United Kingdom Rotorcraft Transport 2000 24 25 One aircraft crashed September 2024;[63][3] Expected OSD 2040.[61][62]
Trainer Aircraft
Grob Tutor Germany Propeller Trainer 1999 5 5 Introductory fight training; operated by 727 Naval Air Squadron[64]
Tactical vertical takeoff/landing UAV
Peregrine Austria Rotorcraft UAV ISR 2024 2+ 2+ Began trials on HMS Lancaster in the Persian Gulf mid-2024[65][66][67][68]

Ministry of Defence

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As well as the military services, a number of defence contractors operate military aircraft on behalf of or lease them from the Ministry of Defence.

Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Agusta AW109 Italy Rotorcraft Utility 1 1 QinetiQ, Boscombe Down.
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II France Rotorcraft Utility 1999 2 2 [3] Used as transport of instructors as part of FOST training. Operated by British International Helicopters under MRCOA[f].[69]
Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil France Rotorcraft Trainer 3 3 Cobham Helicopter Academy, Newquay under CFAOS[g].
Eurofighter Typhoon United Kingdom Jet Multi-role 3 3 BAE Systems, Warton[h].
Hawker Hunter UK Jet Fighter 3 3[70] Hawker Hunter Aviation, RAF Leeming.
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II United States Jet Multi-role 2013 - - 4 of 36 F-35Bs operated in the United States by 17 Squadron RAF; test and evaluation role.[71][72][11]
Westland Sea King United Kingdom Rotorcraft Trainer 2 2 HeliOperations under CFAOS[i].
Airbus Zephyr United Kingdom High-altitude pseudo-satellite UAV 0 3 Solar-powered long-endurance UAV; observation and communications platform;[73][74] two of three aircraft in storage; MoD has not been a participant in any flights since 2021[75]

UK Military Flying Training System

[edit]
Main article: UK Military Flying Training System
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Grob Prefect T.1 Germany Propeller Trainer 2018 23 23 Serves with 57 Squadron RAF, 703 Naval Air Squadron and 674 Squadron, Army Air Corps.[3][76][77][78]
Beechcraft Texan T.1 United States Propeller Trainer 2018 14 14 Serves with 72 Squadron RAF.[79][3]
Beechcraft Avenger United States Propeller Trainer 2011 4 4 Serves with 750 Naval Air Squadron.[3]
Embraer Phenom T.1 Brazil Jet Trainer 2018 5 5 Serves with 45 Squadron RAF.[80][3]
BAE Systems Hawk T.2 United Kingdom Jet Jet trainer 2009 28 28 Serves with No. IV (R) Squadron & No. XXV(F) Squadron.[3]
Airbus H135 Juno HT.1 Germany Rotorcraft Trainer 2018 29 29 Serves with 60 and 202 Squadrons RAF, 705 Naval Air Squadron and 660 Squadron, Army Air Corps.[3][81][82]
Airbus H145 Jupiter HT.1 Germany Rotorcraft Trainer 2018 7 7 Serves with 60 and 202 Squadrons RAF.[3][83]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Total inventory, including aircraft in maintenance at any given time
  2. ^ Includes the 4 used by No. 17(R) squadron based in the US listed below
  3. ^ Includes 4 used by No. 17(R) squadron based in the US listed below; also includes one lost in November 2021
  4. ^ Final aircraft in initial batch delivered May 2023
  5. ^ As detailed in source this also includes the 5 Tutor platforms which were operated by the Royal Navy, previously categorised as Tutor (RN Flying Grading)
  6. ^ Military Registered Civil Owned Aircraft
  7. ^ leased from the Ministry of Defence and operated on the military register under the Contractor Flying Approved Organisation Scheme {CFAOS)
  8. ^ IPA 1, IPA 5, IPA 6
  9. ^ leased from the Ministry of Defence and operated on the military register under the Contractor Flying Approved Organisation Scheme {CFAOS)

References

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  1. ^ "UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024; Worksheet 7 Fixed Wing and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems". UK Government Statistics. 27 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Oral evidence: Work of the Chief of the Air Staff, HC 1108". 1 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2022". Gov.uk. Ministry of Defence. 11 October 2022.
  4. ^ "RAF to scrap twin-seat Typhoons - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Scrapped: Eurofighter Typhoon ZJ815 Sent for RTP - Urban Ghosts". 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  6. ^ "UK armed forces equipment and formations 2020". GOV.UK.
  7. ^ "What UK military forces are based at the Falkland Islands?". Air Force Technology. 29 March 2024.
  8. ^ "What is in the Defence Command Paper for air and space capabilities?". 22 March 2021.
  9. ^ "How British is the F-35?". 14 October 2019.
  10. ^ Hoyle, Craig (29 October 2024). "UK to take first TR-3-standard F-35, as Lockheed targets full 138-unit commitment". FLight Global.
  11. ^ a b c Allison, George (21 May 2024). "Plans for Britain's F-35 fleet". UK Defence Journal.
  12. ^ Manuel, Rojoef (26 June 2023). "Lockheed Delivers Two New F-35B Fighter Jets to Royal Air Force". The Defencepost.
  13. ^ "Britain takes delivery of more F-35 jets". 21 November 2022.
  14. ^ "F-35 Lightning II". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021. The UK's F-35 fleet has grown to 24 aircraft after @OC207Sqn pilots ferried three new jets from the @LockheedMartin plant in Fort Worth, Texas.
  15. ^ "UK looking at 'up to 138′ F-35B jets". 23 March 2021.
  16. ^ Delivering Carrier Strike. National Audit Office. 10 March 2017. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-78604-110-4. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  17. ^ "Written question HL867: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem 17-07-2017". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  18. ^ "More F-35B jets being delivered to the UK". 15 February 2022.
  19. ^ Allison, George (16 March 2024). "E-7 Wedgetail to enter service next year". U.K. Defence Journal.
  20. ^ "UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024; Worksheet 7 Fixed Wing and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems". UK Government Statistics. 27 February 2025.
  21. ^ Manuel, Rojoef (14 March 2023). "RAF to Receive Flight Simulator for Upgraded Shadow Mk2 Training". The Defense Post.
  22. ^ "DE&S signs £250 million aircraft deal to sustain the RAF's intelligence-gathering Shadow aircraft fleet" (PDF). desider. No. 127. Ministry of Defence, DE&S. February 2019. OCLC 928842222. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  23. ^ [1] Archived 13 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine UK-orders-Leonardo-Thales-protection-system-for-RAF-Shadow-fleet
  24. ^ "RC-135W Rivet Joint". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  25. ^ "New Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft lands in UK for first time". Royal Air Force. 4 February 2020.
  26. ^ "UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024; Worksheet 7 Fixed Wing and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems". UK Government Statistics. 27 February 2025.
  27. ^ "A330 Voyager". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  28. ^ Dunlop, Tom (22 May 2023). "New Atlas transport aircraft delivered to UK". UK Defence Journal.
  29. ^ "Oral evidence: Work of the Chief of the Air Staff, HC 1108". 1 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Oral evidence: Work of the Chief of the Air Staff, HC 1108". 1 February 2023.
  31. ^ "UK Atlas breaks parachute delivery record during DE&S cargo drop trials" (PDF). desider. No. 125. Ministry of Defence, DE&S. December 2018. OCLC 928842222. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  32. ^ "RAF Brize Norton". 11 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Royal Air Force's newest aircraft fleet reaches full-service capability". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  34. ^ Cartlidge, James (13 February 2024). "Military Aircraft". Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  35. ^ Chuter, Andrew (14 March 2024). "Britain finalizes deal to buy 14 Chinook helicopters". Defense News.
  36. ^ Lake, Jon (28 November 2024). "Watchkeepers, Pumas (and oldest Chinooks) cut as part of UK Ministry of Defence 'Strategic Decommissioning' programme". Aerospace Global News.
  37. ^ Rogers, Imogen (26 November 2024). "All change: RAF Jupiter helicopter to take on Puma's role in Cyprus and Brunei". bfbs Forces News.
  38. ^ "UK to acquire H145 helicopters for Cyprus, Brunei missions". 14 November 2023.
  39. ^ "UK MoD to buy six H145s in fresh blow to NMH plans".
  40. ^ Allison, George (6 September 2021). "MoD confirm Hawk T2 2040 out of service date".
  41. ^ "Hawk T2". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  42. ^ "Five More ex-UK Grob Tutors Delivered to Finnish Air Force". Royal Air Force. 22 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  43. ^ "UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024; Worksheet 7 Fixed Wing and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems". UK Government Statistics. 27 February 2025.
  44. ^ Nikolov, Boyko (12 February 2025). "RAF еxtends MQ-9 Reaper life with $26.6 million support deal". BulgarianMilitary.com.
  45. ^ Osborne, Tony (29 July 2019). "RAF Retiring Reaper In 2024, Paving Way For Protector". Aviation Week.
  46. ^ "UK signs £65m contract for first three Protectors". Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  47. ^ "UK crew flies Protector in the skies over Lincolnshire". Royal Air Force. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  48. ^ Allison, George (25 July 2024). "Britain grows Protector drone fleet". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  49. ^ "First-Generation Hawk Trainer Bows Out of UK Military Service".
  50. ^ "Typhoon, C-130J and Puma retirements, FCAS investment headline UK defence review".
  51. ^ Manuel, Rojoef (12 March 2025). "Boeing Delivers Final AH-64E Apache Helicopter to British Army". Defensepost.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  52. ^ "UK receives more AH-64E Apaches, but schedule could slip into 2025". Army-Technology.com. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  53. ^ "New version of Apache attack helicopter enters service". UK Defence Journal. 23 January 2022.
  54. ^ a b Harding, Ian; Wills, Kevin (22 August 2019). "Military Wildcat AH1". Key.Aero.
  55. ^ "UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024; Worksheet 8 Rotary Wing Platforms". UK Government Statistics. 27 February 2025.
  56. ^ "UK Army Air Corps lose Dauphin in accident". 3 August 2023.
  57. ^ "An overview of Britain's military drones and drone development projects". Dronewars.net. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  58. ^ https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-20/HCWS239
  59. ^ "UK progresses F-35B deliveries". Janes. 1 December 2020.
  60. ^ Allison, George (21 May 2024). "Plans for Britain's F-35 fleet". UK Defence Journal.
  61. ^ a b "UK extends Merlin operations until 2040".
  62. ^ a b "When will the Royal Navy's Merlin helicopters be retired?". 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  63. ^ "Royal Navy member dies after Merlin helicopter crashes into Channel". The Guardian. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  64. ^ "727 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  65. ^ @NavyLookout (25 September 2024). "@NavyLookout Recent photos showing two Peregrine RWUAS embarked on @HMSLANCASTER for trials in the Indian Ocean. Both aircraft fitted with the Thales I-Master radar with tactical data link integrated into ship's combat managment [sic] system" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  66. ^ "Peregrine rotary wing UAV to enter service with the Royal Navy". Navy Lookout. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  67. ^ "A range of drones and uncrewed vessels are deployed on a major international exercise in Portugal as the Royal Navy looks to push its latest technology to its limits". Royal Navy. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  68. ^ "UK Peregrine UAS completes factory acceptance testing". Janes. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  69. ^ "MAA Approved Organistations" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  70. ^ "Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd - Aircraft". Archived from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  71. ^ Hoyle, Craig (29 October 2024). "UK to take first TR-3-standard F-35, as Lockheed targets full 138-unit commitment". FLight Global.
  72. ^ Stevenson, Beth. "RAF's 17 Sqn assumes control of F-35 test and evaluation". Flight Global.
  73. ^ Chuter, Andrew (17 February 2016). "British MoD Acquires Solar-Powered Zephyr UAV". Defense News.
  74. ^ "Airbus, UK MoD cites Zephyr trials success on path to 'operationalising pseudo satellite'". Janes.com. 11 October 2021.
  75. ^ "An overview of Britain's military drones and drone development projects". Dronewars.net. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  76. ^ "Prefect T1". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  77. ^ "703 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  78. ^ "Flying Start". Army Air Corps. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  79. ^ "Texan T1". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  80. ^ "Phenom T1". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  81. ^ "Juno HT1". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  82. ^ "705 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  83. ^ "Jupiter HT1". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
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