List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

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

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

Royal Air Force

List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

<table><thead><tr><th>Type</th><th>Origin</th><th>Class</th><th>Role</th><th>Introduced</th><th>In service</th><th>Total</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Multi-Role Combat Aircraft</td></tr><tr><td>Eurofighter Typhoon</td><td>European (British, German, Italian, Spanish)</td><td>Jet</td><td>Multi-role</td><td>2003</td><td>110</td><td>137</td><td>26 of 30 Tranche 1s (apart from 4, based in the Falklands) retired by 2025; Falklands-based Tranche 1s to retire, and be replaced, by 2027</td></tr><tr><td>Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning</td><td>United States</td><td>Jet</td><td>Stealth Multi-role, including nuclear strike</td><td>By 2030</td><td>0</td><td>(12)</td><td>12 F-35A to be procured by 2030; To support NATO nuclear mission and complement Royal Navy submarine-based nuclear forces.</td></tr><tr><td>Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning</td><td>United States</td><td>Jet</td><td>V/STOL Stealth Multi-role</td><td>2013</td><td>47</td><td>48 (63)</td><td>Jointly operated with the Fleet Air Arm; 15 additional F-35B planned by 2033</td></tr><tr><td>AEW&C</td></tr><tr><td>Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW.1</td><td>United States</td><td>Jet</td><td>AW&C</td><td>2026</td><td>1</td><td>(3)</td><td>Originally five envisaged, now reduced to three. 2025 defence review recommended acquisition of additional aircraft.</td></tr><tr><td>Reconnaissance / Maritime Patrol</td></tr><tr><td>Beechcraft Shadow R.1</td><td>United States</td><td>Propeller</td><td>ISTAR</td><td>2009</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>Expected OSD 2030. Current fleet expanded and upgraded.</td></tr><tr><td>Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint</td><td>United States</td><td>Jet</td><td>SIGINT</td><td>2013</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>Formally known as Airseeker.</td></tr><tr><td>Boeing P-8 Poseidon MRA.1</td><td>United States</td><td>Jet</td><td>ASW/Anti-ship</td><td>2019</td><td>9</td><td>9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tanker / Transport</td></tr><tr><td>Airbus Voyager</td><td>Airbus (European, Multinational)</td><td>Jet</td><td>Tanker / Transport</td><td>2011</td><td>14</td><td>14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Transport</td></tr><tr><td>Boeing C-17A Globemaster III</td><td>United States</td><td>Jet</td><td>Transport</td><td>2001</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Airbus A400M Atlas C.1</td><td>Airbus (European, Multinational)</td><td>Propeller</td><td>Transport</td><td>2014</td><td>22</td><td>22</td><td>Up to six additional aircraft planned for procurement by 2030, or procurement of additional capacity in partnership with private sector providers.</td></tr><tr><td>Dassault Envoy IV CC.1</td><td>France</td><td>Jet</td><td>Transport</td><td>2022</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>Two aircraft to be introduced from March 2022. To be initially operated under civil contract until 2026.</td></tr><tr><td>Helicopter</td></tr><tr><td>Boeing Chinook</td><td>United States</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Transport</td><td>1980</td><td>37</td><td>51</td><td>14 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</td></tr><tr><td>AW 149</td><td>Italy</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Transport</td><td>From 2030</td><td>0</td><td>(23)</td><td>To replace former RAF Puma and Army Dauphin helicopters</td></tr><tr><td>Airbus H145 Jupiter HC.2</td><td>European (Airbus Helicopters)</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Transport</td><td>2025/26</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>Replaced former Puma HC2s & deployed with 84 Squadron on Cyprus from 2026; 3 additional helicopters acquired by the AAC</td></tr><tr><td>Trainer Aircraft</td></tr><tr><td>Airbus H135 Juno HT.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>29</td><td>29</td><td>Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.</td></tr><tr><td>Airbus H145 Jupiter HT.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>7</td><td>7</td><td>Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.</td></tr><tr><td>BAE Systems Hawk T.2</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>Jet</td><td>Jet trainer</td><td>2009</td><td>28</td><td>28</td><td>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.</td></tr><tr><td>Beechcraft Texan T1</td><td>United States</td><td>Propeller</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>14</td><td>14</td><td>Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.</td></tr><tr><td>Embraer Phenom T.1</td><td>Brazil</td><td>Jet</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.</td></tr><tr><td>Grob Prefect T.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Propeller</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>23</td><td>23</td><td>Forms part of the UK Military Flying Training System listed below but operated by RAF.</td></tr><tr><td>Grob Tutor T.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Propeller</td><td>Trainer</td><td>1999</td><td>91</td><td>119</td><td>Used by the RAF Air Experience Flight. 28 Tutors have been sold to the Finnish Air Force as of 2018.</td></tr><tr><td>Grob Viking T.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Glider</td><td>Trainer</td><td>1990</td><td>52</td><td>91</td><td>The Grob Viking T1 is the RAF's primary aircraft for delivering basic glider and flight training to the RAF Air Cadets.</td></tr><tr><td>Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance UAVs</td></tr><tr><td>Protector RG1</td><td>United States</td><td>UAV</td><td>ISR / Attack</td><td>2023</td><td>10</td><td>16</td><td>16 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</td></tr></tbody></table>

RAF Red Arrows

Type	Origin	Class	Role	Introduced	In service	Total	Notes
British Aerospace Hawk T.1	United Kingdom	Jet	Trainer	1980	12	12	Retired from aggressor role in March 2022; retained by the Red Arrows; to be retired by 2030.

RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Type	Origin	Class	Role	Introduced	In service	Total	Notes
Avro Lancaster (PA474)	United Kingdom	Propeller	Heavy bomber	1942	1	1	1 B.I
de Havilland Canada Chipmunk	United Kingdom	Propeller	Trainer	1946	2	2	2 T.10
Douglas Dakota	United States	Propeller	Transport	1942	1	1	1 C.3
Hawker Hurricane	United Kingdom	Propeller	Fighter	1937	2	2	2 Mk IIc
Supermarine Spitfire	United Kingdom	Propeller	Fighter	1938	5	6	1 Mk IIa, 1 Mk Vb, 1 LF Mk XVIe 2 PR Mk XIX

Army Air Corps

List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

<table><thead><tr><th>Type</th><th>Origin</th><th>Class</th><th>Role</th><th>Introduced</th><th>In service</th><th>Total</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Attack helicopters</td></tr><tr><td>Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian</td><td>United States</td><td>Helicopter</td><td>Attack</td><td>2022</td><td>50</td><td>50</td><td>50 Apache AH1 remanufactured to AH-64E specification. Armed with M230 cannon and JAGM, Hellfire K1 and Hellfire Romeo missiles.</td></tr><tr><td>Reconnaissance helicopters</td></tr><tr><td>AgustaWestland Wildcat</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Utility</td><td>2014</td><td>34</td><td>34</td><td>Up to 8 helicopters serve with the Fleet Air Arm's 847 Squadron in support of the Royal Marines.</td></tr><tr><td>Transport helicopters</td></tr><tr><td>Airbus H145 Jupiter HC.2</td><td>European (Airbus Helicopters)</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Transport</td><td>2025/26</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>Replacing former Puma HC2s deployed with British Forces Brunei; three additional aircraft ordered for the RAF</td></tr><tr><td>Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II</td><td>France</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>United Kingdom Special Forces</td><td>2009</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Fleet Air Arm

List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

Type	Origin	Class	Role	Introduced	In service	Total	Notes
Combat Aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning	United States	Jet	V/STOL Stealth Multi-role	2013	-	-	Jointly operated with Royal Air Force. Initial Operational Capability (Maritime) in 2020; 809 Naval Air Squadron stood up in December 2023.
Attack/Reconnaissance helicopters
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2	United Kingdom	Rotorcraft	Attack	2014	28	28
AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HM2	United Kingdom	Rotorcraft	ASW/AEW	2000	30	44	Expected OSD 2040.
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat AH1	United Kingdom	Rotorcraft	Utility/Reconnaissance	2014	-	-	Up to 8 Army Air Corps aircraft tasked to 847 Naval Air Squadron in support of the Royal Marines.
Transport helicopters
AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin Mk4/4A	United Kingdom	Rotorcraft	Transport	2000	24	25	One aircraft crashed September 2024; Expected OSD 2040.
Trainer Aircraft
Grob Tutor	Germany	Propeller	Trainer	1999	5	5	Introductory fight training; operated by 727 Naval Air Squadron
Tactical vertical takeoff/landing UAV
Peregrine	Austria	Rotorcraft UAV	ISR	2024	2	2	Formerly deployed on HMS Lancaster; future tasking unclear

Ministry of Defence

List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

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.

Type	Origin	Class	Role	Introduced	In service	Total	Notes
Agusta AW109	Italy	Rotorcraft	Utility		1	1	QinetiQ, Boscombe Down.
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II	France	Rotorcraft	Utility	1999	2	2	Used as transport of instructors as part of FOST training. Operated by British International Helicopters under MRCOA.
Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil	France	Rotorcraft	Trainer		3	3	Cobham Helicopter Academy, Newquay under CFAOS.
Eurofighter Typhoon	United Kingdom	Jet	Multi-role		3	3	BAE Systems, Warton.
Hawker Hunter	UK	Jet	Fighter		3	3	Hawker Hunter Aviation, RAF Leeming.
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II	United States	Jet	Multi-role	2013	-	-	4 of 40 F-35Bs operated in the United States by 17 Squadron RAF; test and evaluation role.
Westland Sea King	United Kingdom	Rotorcraft	Trainer		2	2	HeliOperations under CFAOS.
Airbus Zephyr	United Kingdom	High-altitude pseudo-satellite	UAV		0	3	Solar-powered long-endurance UAV; observation and communications platform; two of three aircraft in storage; MoD has not been a participant in any flights since 2021

UK Military Flying Training System

List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

<table><thead><tr><th>Type</th><th>Origin</th><th>Class</th><th>Role</th><th>Introduced</th><th>In service</th><th>Total</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Grob Prefect T.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Propeller</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>23</td><td>23</td><td>Serves with 57 Squadron RAF, 703 Naval Air Squadron and 674 Squadron, Army Air Corps.</td></tr><tr><td>Beechcraft Texan T.1</td><td>United States</td><td>Propeller</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>14</td><td>14</td><td>Serves with 72 Squadron RAF.</td></tr><tr><td>Beechcraft Avenger</td><td>United States</td><td>Propeller</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2011</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>Serves with 750 Naval Air Squadron.</td></tr><tr><td>Embraer Phenom T.1</td><td>Brazil</td><td>Jet</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>Serves with 45 Squadron RAF.</td></tr><tr><td>BAE Systems Hawk T.2</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td>Jet</td><td>Jet trainer</td><td>2009</td><td>28</td><td>28</td><td>Serves with No. IV (R) Squadron & No. XXV(F) Squadron.</td></tr><tr><td>Airbus H135 Juno HT.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>29</td><td>29</td><td>Serves with 60 and 202 Squadrons RAF, 705 Naval Air Squadron and 660 Squadron, Army Air Corps.</td></tr><tr><td>Airbus H145 Jupiter HT.1</td><td>Germany</td><td>Rotorcraft</td><td>Trainer</td><td>2018</td><td>7</td><td>7</td><td>Serves with 60 and 202 Squadrons RAF.</td></tr></tbody></table>