City Guide

Abu Dhabi, May 20: The Red Arrows, Britain’s crack aerobatic team, will paint the sky red, white and blue, over Abu Dhabi on May 26, as part of its BAE SYSTEMS sponsored Eastern Arrow tour of India, the Middle East and Europe.

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. The event is co-organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the British Embassy.

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.’

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