List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

Active United Kingdom military aircraft directory From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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

Royal Air Force

Main article: Royal Air Force
More information Type, Origin ...
TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
Eurofighter TyphoonEuropean (British, German, Italian, Spanish)JetMulti-role2003110[1]137[a][2][3] 26 of 30 Tranche 1s (apart from 4, based in the Falklands)[4] retired by 2025;[5] Falklands-based Tranche 1s to retire, and be replaced, by 2027[6]
Lockheed Martin F-35A LightningUnited States [7]JetStealth Multi-role, including nuclear strikeBy 20300[b][8](12)[c]12 F-35A to be procured by 2030;[9][10] To support NATO nuclear mission and complement Royal Navy submarine-based nuclear forces.[11]
Lockheed Martin F-35B LightningUnited States [12]JetCarrier-capable V/STOL Stealth Multi-role201347[d][13]48 (63)[e][14][15][16][17][18][19] Jointly operated with the Fleet Air Arm; 15 additional F-35B planned by 2033[20][21][22][23][24]
AEW&C
Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW.1United StatesJetAW&C2026[25]1(3)Originally five envisaged, now reduced to three. 2025 defence review recommended the acquisition of additional aircraft.[26][3]
Reconnaissance / Maritime Patrol
Beechcraft Shadow R.1United StatesPropellerISTAR20098[27]8[28][3] Expected OSD 2030.[29] Current fleet expanded and upgraded.[30]
Boeing RC-135W Rivet JointUnited StatesJetSIGINT201333[3] Formally known as Airseeker.[31]
Boeing P-8 Poseidon MRA.1United StatesJetASW/Anti-ship[32]201999
Tanker / Transport
Airbus VoyagerAirbus (European, Multinational)JetTanker / Transport201114[33]14[3][34]
Transport
Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIUnited StatesJetTransport200188[3]
Airbus A400M Atlas C.1Airbus (European, Multinational)PropellerTransport20142222[f][35][36][3] Up to six additional aircraft planned for procurement by 2030,[37][38][39] or procurement of additional capacity in partnership with private sector providers.[40]
Dassault Envoy IV CC.1FranceJetTransport20222[41]2Two aircraft to be introduced from March 2022. To be initially operated under civil contract until 2026.[42]
Helicopter
Boeing ChinookUnited StatesRotorcraftTransport1980375114 HC.Mk 6A variants withdrawn from service; to be replaced by 14 CH-47-ER variants from 2027; overall operational numbers to stabilize at c. 51 helicopters[43][44]
AW 149ItalyRotorcraftTransportFrom 20300(23)To replace former RAF Puma and Army Dauphin helicopters[45]
Airbus H145 Jupiter HC.2European (Airbus Helicopters)RotorcraftTransport2025/263[46]3Replaced former Puma HC2s & deployed with 84 Squadron on Cyprus from 2026;[47][48][49] 3 additional helicopters acquired by the AAC[50]
Trainer Aircraft
Airbus H135 Juno HT.1European (Airbus Helicopters)RotorcraftTrainer20182929[3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Airbus H145 Jupiter HT.1European (Airbus Helicopters)RotorcraftTrainer201877[3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
BAE Systems Hawk T.2United KingdomJetJet trainer20092828[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.[51][52]
Beechcraft Texan T1United StatesPropellerTrainer20181414[3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Embraer Phenom T.1BrazilJetTrainer201855[3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Grob Prefect T.1GermanyPropellerTrainer20182323[3] Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.
Grob Tutor T.1GermanyPropellerTrainer199991[g]119[3] Used by the RAF Air Experience Flight. 28 Tutors have been sold to the Finnish Air Force as of 2018.[53]
Grob Viking T.1GermanyGliderTrainer19905291The 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
Protector RG1United StatesUAVISR / Attack202310[54]1616 ordered; 10 aircraft delivered as of June 2025 with 4 in the UK and the other 6 in the US where they are used for testing and training; total of 16 aircraft to be delivered by end 2025[55]
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RAF Red Arrows

Main article: Red Arrows
More information Type, Origin ...
TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
British Aerospace Hawk T.1United KingdomJetTrainer19801212[3] Retired from aggressor role in March 2022;[56] retained by the Red Arrows; to be retired by 2030.[57]
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RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Main article: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
More information Type, Origin ...
TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Avro Lancaster (PA474)United KingdomPropellerHeavy bomber1942111 B.I
de Havilland Canada ChipmunkUnited KingdomPropellerTrainer1946222 T.10
Douglas DakotaUnited StatesPropellerTransport1942111 C.3
Hawker HurricaneUnited KingdomPropellerFighter1937222 Mk IIc
Supermarine SpitfireUnited KingdomPropellerFighter1938561 Mk IIa, 1 Mk Vb, 1 LF Mk XVIe 2 PR Mk XIX
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Army Air Corps

Main article: Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)
More information Type, Origin ...
TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Attack helicopters
Boeing AH-64E Apache GuardianUnited StatesHelicopterAttack202250[58][59]5050 Apache AH1 remanufactured to AH-64E specification. Armed with M230 cannon and JAGM, Hellfire K1 and Hellfire Romeo missiles.[60]
Reconnaissance helicopters
AgustaWestland WildcatUnited KingdomRotorcraftUtility20143434Up to 8 helicopters serve with the Fleet Air Arm's 847 Squadron in support of the Royal Marines.[61][62]
Transport helicopters
Airbus H145 Jupiter HC.2European (Airbus Helicopters)RotorcraftTransport2025/2633Replacing former Puma HC2s deployed with British Forces Brunei; three additional aircraft ordered for the RAF[63][64][65][66][50]
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin IIFranceRotorcraftUnited Kingdom Special Forces20095[67]6
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Fleet Air Arm

Main article: Fleet Air Arm
More information Type, Origin ...
TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Combat Aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35B LightningUnited StatesJetCarrier-capable V/STOL Stealth Multi-role2013--Jointly operated with Royal Air Force. Initial Operational Capability (Maritime) in 2020;[68] 809 Naval Air Squadron stood up in December 2023.[69]
Attack/Reconnaissance helicopters
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2United KingdomRotorcraftAttack20142828[3]
AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HM2United KingdomRotorcraftASW/AEW20003044[3] Expected OSD 2040.[70][71]
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat AH1United KingdomRotorcraftUtility/Reconnaissance2014--Up to 8 Army Air Corps aircraft tasked to 847 Naval Air Squadron in support of the Royal Marines.[61]
Transport helicopters
AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin Mk4/4AUnited KingdomRotorcraftTransport20002425One aircraft crashed September 2024;[72][3] Expected OSD 2040.[70][71]
Trainer Aircraft
Grob TutorGermanyPropellerTrainer199955Introductory fight training; operated by 727 Naval Air Squadron[73]
Tactical vertical takeoff/landing UAV
PeregrineAustriaRotorcraft UAVISR202422Formerly deployed on HMS Lancaster; future tasking unclear[74][75][76][77][78][79]
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Ministry of Defence

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.

More information Type, Origin ...
TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Agusta AW109ItalyRotorcraftUtility11QinetiQ, Boscombe Down.
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin IIFranceRotorcraftUtility199922[3] Used as transport of instructors as part of FOST training. Operated by Bristow under MRCOA[h]. Retired 31st March 2026.[80]
Eurocopter AS350 ÉcureuilFranceRotorcraftTrainer33Cobham Helicopter Academy, Newquay under CFAOS[i].
Eurofighter TyphoonUnited KingdomJetMulti-role33BAE Systems, Warton[j].
Hawker HunterUKJetFighter33[81]Hawker Hunter Aviation, RAF Leeming.
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIUnited StatesJetMulti-role2013--4 of 47 F-35Bs operated in the United States by 17 Squadron RAF; test and evaluation role.[82][83][16]
Westland Sea KingUnited KingdomRotorcraftTrainer22HeliOperations under CFAOS[k].[citation needed]
Airbus ZephyrUnited KingdomHigh-altitude pseudo-satelliteUAV03Solar-powered long-endurance UAV; observation and communications platform;[84][85] two of three aircraft in storage; MoD has not been a participant in any flights since 2021[86]
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UK Military Flying Training System

Main article: UK Military Flying Training System
More information Type, Origin ...
TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Grob Prefect T.1GermanyPropellerTrainer20182323Serves with 57 Squadron RAF, 703 Naval Air Squadron and 674 Squadron, Army Air Corps.[3][87][88][89]
Beechcraft Texan T.1United StatesPropellerTrainer20181414Serves with 72 Squadron RAF.[90][3]
Beechcraft AvengerUnited StatesPropellerTrainer201144Serves with 750 Naval Air Squadron.[3]
Embraer Phenom T.1BrazilJetTrainer201855Serves with 45 Squadron RAF.[91][3]
BAE Systems Hawk T.2United KingdomJetJet trainer20092828Serves with No. IV (R) Squadron & No. XXV(F) Squadron.[3]
Airbus H135 Juno HT.1European (Airbus Helicopters)RotorcraftTrainer20182929Serves with 60 and 202 Squadrons RAF, 705 Naval Air Squadron and 660 Squadron, Army Air Corps.[3][92][93]
Airbus H145 Jupiter HT.1European (Airbus Helicopters)RotorcraftTrainer201877Serves with 60 and 202 Squadrons RAF.[3][94]
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UAVs and drones

See also: List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force § UAVs and drones, List of unmanned aerial vehicles § United Kingdom, Future of the Royal Air Force § Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Category:Unmanned military aircraft of the United Kingdom

Drone Wars UK, a British NGO which investigates the impact of drone warfare, has stated that as of 2025 transparency about the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) within the British military is limited, that Freedom of Information requests about UAVs are regularly refused on national security grounds, and that MOD ministers have refused to answer parliamentary questions on the basis that the use of UAVs is now an intelligence matter. Drone Wars UK have drawn up a list of 20 known UK military uncrewed systems and 20 known current UK programmes to develop UAV capabilities.[95]

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Total inventory, including aircraft in maintenance at any given time
  2. [b]
    To be procured to provide tactical nuclear strike capability but with "day-to-day" training role
  3. [c]
    To be based at RAF Marham
  4. [d]
    Includes the 4 used by No. 17(R) squadron based in the US listed below
  5. [e]
    Includes 4 used by No. 17(R) squadron based in the US listed below; total of 63 will have been delivered by 2033; figures include one lost in November 2021
  6. [f]
    Final aircraft in initial batch delivered May 2023
  7. [g]
    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)
  8. [h]
    Military Registered Civil Owned Aircraft
  9. [i]
    leased from the Ministry of Defence and operated on the military register under the Contractor Flying Approved Organisation Scheme {CFAOS)
  10. [j]
    IPA 1, IPA 5, IPA 6
  11. [k]
    leased from the Ministry of Defence and operated on the military register under the Contractor Flying Approved Organisation Scheme {CFAOS)

References

External links

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