Headlines
Exclusive-Boeing/Saab in talks with BAE on UK jet trainer bid, sources say
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on July 29, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on July 29, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Boeing and Saab are in early talks with BAE Systems to collaborate on a UK jet trainer bid, aiming to replace the Hawk trainer fleet.
PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) -Boeing and Sweden's Saab are in talks with Britain's BAE Systems about teaming up on a future replacement of Britain's Hawk trainer in a growing niche of the fast jet industry, three people familiar with the matter said.
Boeing and Saab have jointly developed the T-7 advanced trainer for the U.S. Air Force, while Britain has said it plans to replace the out-of-production Hawk fleet, part of which is instantly recognisable through its Red Arrows display team.
The proposals are at an early stage and details are still to be worked out, with no guarantee that an agreement can be reached, one of the sources said.
"We don’t comment on rumour and speculation," a BAE spokesperson said.
"Training remains an important pillar of our air sector strategy. We continue to explore and develop our footprint in this area across both live and synthetic capabilities."
A spokesperson for Swedish defence firm Saab said: "We have a long-term partnership with Boeing on the co-development of T-7. Saab will not comment on rumours or speculation."
Boeing had no immediate comment.
In June, Britain's strategic defence review recommended that the Hawk be replaced after decades as Britain's premier military training aircraft and the government said it would welcome interest from UK-based suppliers.
(Reporting by Tim Hepher and Sarah Young, Additional reporting by Mike Stone; Editing by Susan Fenton)
A jet trainer is an aircraft designed to train pilots in flying and operating jet-powered aircraft, often used by military forces.
The defense industry encompasses companies and organizations that produce goods and services for military purposes, including weapons, equipment, and training.
A partnership in business refers to a formal arrangement where two or more parties collaborate to manage and operate a business, sharing profits and responsibilities.
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