Boeing says partnership for T-7 trainer export bid imminent

[DUBAI] Boeing is close to announcing a partnership to bid for an international sales opportunity for its T-7 trainer, company executives said on Sunday (Nov 16), highlighting the fast-growing demand for lightweight military training jets.

Reuters reported in July that Boeing and Sweden’s Saab were in talks with Britain’s BAE Systems on teaming up on a future replacement of the UK’s Hawk trainer.

Boeing and Saab have jointly developed the T-7 advanced trainer for the US Air Force, while Britain said it plans to replace its out-of-production Hawk fleet, part of which is instantly recognisable through its Red Arrows display team. Asked at a briefing ahead of the Dubai Airshow whether the imminent partnership would address Britain’s trainer needs, Boeing’s CEO of Defense, Space & Security, Steve Parker said: “Watch this space”, but declined to provide further details.

Boeing officials said that the planned cooperation announcement would come within the next week or so and that overall trainer demand spanned major markets including Europe and Asia.

In June, a British defence strategy review recommended that BAE’s Hawk be replaced, and the government said it would welcome interest from UK-based suppliers.

BAE has said it has not decided whether to develop a new jet to replace the Hawk, whose production line closed in 2000. REUTERS