Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the number of frontline fast jet pilots available to the RAF.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
In line with the Strategic Defence Review 2025, an RAF programme team is being established to revise current fast jet training arrangements and optimise capacity.
A fast jet transformation project and human performance optimisation programme are being implemented. Measures to increase the number of fast jet Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) at RAF Valley have also been implemented. These include agreements with the Combat Air Force for them to provide suitably qualified and experienced QFI trainees from the front-line to RAF Valley to sustain the military QFI requirement and the recruitment of civilian QFIs though the UKMFTS Training Service Partner.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average cost is of training a new fast jet pilot for the RAF.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer the former Minister for Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, gave to Question 36613 on 13 March 2025 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois MP).