UK Invests £173 Million in Aerial Training with Draken
Draken will train the UK Armed Forces with air combat, electronic warfare, and missile simulation exercises.
On January 29, 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a £173 million training contract with Draken UK, a subsidiary of the adversary air training company Draken. The agreement aims to enhance the readiness of the UK Armed Forces against various threats through realistic simulations, including air combat, electronic warfare, and missile attacks. Training will take place in northern England, with Teesside International Airport playing a key role in the initiative.
Strengthening Frontline Forces
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin, Commander of No. 1 Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership with Draken:
"Our collaboration with Draken is crucial as we continue training and preparing all our frontline forces to face emerging global threats. The training provided so far, simulating adversary threats and enabling operations in a contested electromagnetic environment, has never been more essential to ensure the Royal Air Force is ready and capable of supporting NATO and countering future threats. This contract allows us to continue evolving the high-level training available to all our frontline forces as we strive to outmatch potential adversaries."
Realistic Training for Modern Threats
Draken will deploy a fleet of aircraft to simulate aerial and missile threats, including:
- 20 Dassault Falcon 20 jets
- Eight Aero L-159E ‘Honey Badger’ advanced trainers/light fighters
- One Diamond DA42 aircraft
These exercises will help British forces maintain NATO-standard operational capabilities.
Beyond RAF training, the contract includes specialized exercises for the Royal Navy and British Army. The Royal Navy will train to defend assets against air and missile attacks, while the Army will improve its ability to process aerial intelligence swiftly.
Boosting Local Economy and Defence Industry
The UK Ministry of Defence highlighted that the contract will contribute to economic growth, creating over 200 jobs and training at least 12 apprentices per Draken facility.
This initiative is part of the UK Defence Industrial Strategy, aimed at enhancing national security while promoting economic development and ensuring the UK Armed Forces remain prepared for future threats.
AUTOR
Apasionado por la aviación, la historia, la política y la defensa. Editor-in-Chief en Aviacionline Defensa, combinando estos conocimiento para ofrecer un contenido valioso sobre temas estratégicos y de seguridad.
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