United Kingdom Defence Ministry released the 2022 Equipment Plan on November 29, 2022. The defence equipment plan 2022 to 2032 - supplementary data tables were published yesterday, December 9. The plan indicates the future of Royal Air Force (RAF) procurement plans. It also gives hints about the aircraft that will retire.
According to the plan, the Royal Air Force will become a digitally empowered force. It will invest in new platforms and retire legacy equipment as they consider them “increasingly limited utility in the future operating environment.”
The Royal Air Force will retire Typhoon Tranche 1 and Hawk T1 soon. According to the plans, the next-generation airborne command and control aircraft, E7 Wedgetail, will provide airborne surveillance, command, and control capabilities alongside the P8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). The force will also acquire more A400M Atlas C1 and retire the C130 Hercules.
The programme indicates that Japan and Italy take part in British Future Combat Air System FCAS (also known as Tempest) international partners and excludes Sweden It says, “As announced during the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow, the UK has been conducting joint concept analysis with close partners Japan and Italy to understand areas of shared interest and to explore potential Future Combat Air partnership options while continuing to remain open to exploring wider partnerships.”
The plan also says, “We have made great progress with Japan and Italy, including joint work with Japan on jet engine technologies and advanced sensors and collaboration with Italy on core concept designs. This has enabled us to maximise our shared expertise and develop our respective industrial capabilities.”
