Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 April 2026
Letter from the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry to the Chair dated 26th March providing a quarterly update on the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS)
From: Defence Committee
Summary
The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry provides a quarterly update on the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), a £3.8 billion 25-year PPP delivering aircrew training across all three Services. The letter reports reductions in pilot holding times, ongoing expansion of Multi Engine pilot training through civilian providers, and progress on Fast Jet training capacity improvements and replacement Advanced Jet Training system procurement.
Key findings
- RAF pilot holding times continue to reduce: 29 pilots in post-EFT hold (down from 47 a year ago), with Multi Engine pilots waiting 8-12 months and Fast Jet pilots 3-4 months
- 46 pilots awaiting phase 3 front-line OCU placement, with significant delays in Rotary Wing pipeline due to Chinook OCU delays and Puma deletion (7-20 month holdover)
- Multi Engine pilot training being expanded via blended civilian and UKMFTS approach; tender published for civilian training organisation to train up to 22 fixed-wing pilots April 2026–March 2028
- Fast Jet training identified as constrained by insufficient Texan T6 aircraft availability at Basic Flying Training stage; MOD pursuing fleet expansion options
- Advanced Jet Training replacement programme progressing with Key User Requirements developed and Industry Day planned; all platform options remain in scope
Tone
FactualTopics
military-trainingdefence-procurementpublic-private-partnershipsaircrew-capacity
Key actors
Luke Pollard MP, Tan Dhesi MP, Ministry of Defence, RAF, Royal Navy, Operational Conversion Units
Notable line
“… training timelines within UKMFTS continue to reduce.”
Key Quotes
“UKMFTS is a 25-year, £3.8 billion Public Private Partnership, contracted to”
“29 pilots are in the post-Elementary Flying Training (EFT) hold (compared to 47 a year ago, and 68 two years ago).”
“Due to an increased front-line demand for Multi Engine pilots, the Department is working on expanding the provision of Multi Engine pilot training.”
“Following a Basic Flying Training (BFT) validation period, it has been identified that there is insufficient capacity within BFT, resulting from inadequate Texan T6 aircraft availability.”
“I want to assure the Defence Committee that the MOD remains committed to ensuring that UKMFTS and the replacement AJT system meet our current and future front-line requirements for world-class aircrew.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗