World famous Red Arrow Hawks to display in Abu Dhabi

The Red Arrows rely on the BAE Systems Hawk, the world's best selling advanced jet trainer, to carry out a demanding series of spectacular flying displays worldwide.

On Eastern Arrow the Red Arrows are accompanying the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) new advanced jet trainer, the latest version of the BAE Systems Hawk, on a three week tour of the Middle East and Europe. This new version of the Hawk has been selected to meet the UK MOD's demanding requirements to train pilots for next generation combat aircraft such as Typhoon and the F-35 JSF.

The breath taking free-to-watch 22-minute long performance will take place at 5:30 p.m. over the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Under the command of Squadron Leader Dicky Patounas, Eastern Arrow will also see the team displaying in Jordan, India, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Greece.

'We are very honoured to have been invited to display in Abu Dhabi,' said Sqd Ldr Patounas.

'The Red Arrows are ambassadors of the Royal Air Force and Great Britain and we aim to demonstrate UK excellence wherever we display. Our display is the product of highly skilled people in the air and on the ground and a reliable, easy to manoeuvre aircraft in the shape of the BAE Systems Hawk. We are pleased to be accompanying this latest version of the Hawk on this tour and feel that the latest export standard is well placed to continue the worldwide Hawk success story.'

On behalf of BAE Systems, Simon Keith, Regional Managing Director BAE Systems said: 'The BAE Systems Hawk and the Red Arrows are inextricably linked and synonymous with excellence. It is totally appropriate therefore that the Red Arrows are accompanying the latest version of the Hawk on this tour as the aircraft is ideally placed to meet all current and future advanced jet training requirements.'

Today's new generation Hawk, also selected by the Royal Australian Air Force, the Indian Air Force and Bahrain forms the heart of the world's most advanced military pilot training systems. Graduates from Hawk move effortlessly onto flying the very latest front line fighters such as Typhoon, F-16 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Hawk's outstanding performance, high reliability, ease of maintenance and through- life support have all been proven in-service resulting in low life-cycle costs and have been key factors in generating repeat orders from existing operators.

Winner of the last five major competitions for advanced jet training aircraft, the BAE Systems' Hawk attracts a high level of interest from prospective customers worldwide, ensuring that the world's best selling advanced jet trainer will continue to fly high for years to come.

In addition to BAE SYSTEMS, the Red Arrows Eastern Arrow tour is supported by the UK's Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO), Rolls Royce and VT Group.