The Interim Red Air Aggressor Training Service (IRAATS) delivered its first Operational Readiness Training sortie to the Combat Air Force, on 20 December.
A L-159E ‘Honey Badger’ aircraft provided threat replication to a Typhoon from 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron in the training airspace over the North Sea.
The opportunity to train against dissimilar aircraft flown by experienced pilots, and using unfamiliar tactics, is considered essential operational training for front-line squadrons.
The first of its kind in the UK, IRAATS will see civilian company Draken Europe deliver a medium to fast-speed aggressor training service using its fleet of civil-registered Aero Vodochody L-159Es, a Czech-built light multi-role combat training aircraft.
I am absolutely delighted to announce that the RAF’s exciting new ‘Red Air’ aggressor service has delivered its first training sortie to the Combat Air Force. This capability will truly challenge our Combat Air pilots, training them more effectively for future operations.
The contract was delivered through competition in a very short timescale, from inception to contract signature, and done so by a whole force team. It is timely, affordable, deliverable and provides Defence with excellent value for money.
Air Commodore ‘Cab’ Townsend
RAF’s Senior Responsible Owner for Capability
This sortie was the first training delivered by IRAATS, and the programme will now build to full operating capability with eight L-159Es from January 2023.