United Kingdom Invests £173 Million in Aerial Training with Draken
Draken will train the UK Armed Forces with air combat, electronic warfare and missile simulations.
On January 29, 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a £173 million training contract with Draken, the UK subsidiary of the adversary air training company. The agreement aims to enhance the readiness of the UK Armed Forces to face a range of threats through realistic simulations, including air combat, electronic warfare, and missile attacks. The training will take place in the North of England, with Teesside International Airport playing a key role in this initiative.
Air Vice Marshal Mark Flewin, Commander of 1 Group, stated: “Our partnership with Draken is of fundamental importance as we continue to train and prepare all our frontline forces to meet emerging global threats. The training provided to date, simulating adversary threats and allowing us to train in a representative and contested electromagnetic environment, has never been more important to ensure that the Royal Air Force is ready and able to support NATO and meet the threats of tomorrow. The contract will allow us to continue evolving the high-end training available for all our frontline forces, as we look to outpace our potential adversaries.”
Realistic Training for Contemporary Threats
Using a fleet of aircraft, including 20 Dassault Falcon 20s, eight advanced trainers/light fighters Aero L-159E ‘Honey Badger,’ and a Diamond DA42, Draken will conduct exercises simulating various aerial and missile threats from a range of adversaries. These training sessions will ensure that the UK Armed Forces maintain their operational capabilities in line with NATO standards.
In addition to training the Royal Air Force, the contract also includes specific exercises for the Royal Navy and the Army. The Royal Navy will receive training to protect its assets from air and missile attacks, while the Army will improve its ability to process intelligence from the air quickly.
Support for Local Economic Growth
The UK Ministry of Defence highlights that the contract will contribute to local economic growth, creating over 200 jobs and training at least 12 apprentices at each Draken site. This agreement is part of the UK Defence Industrial Strategy, which seeks to strengthen national security while promoting economic growth, ensuring that the Armed Forces are prepared to face 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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