British MOD To Sell Off Sentinel R1 Airframes

UK military officials are selling off Royal Air Force Sentinel R1 airframes, reversing previous plans to scrap the surveillance aircraft for parts.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 04:37 PM ET

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A Sentinel R1 aircraft of No 5 (Army Cooperation) Squadron based at RAF Waddington. Courtesy: UK MOD

Key Takeaways:

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is selling its recently retired Sentinel R1 airframes to a consortium, reversing previous plans to scrap the aircraft for parts.
This decision was made because an "unsolicited bid" offered better value for money for the taxpayer compared to breaking down the five retired RAF aircraft for components.
The RAF's fleet of five Sentinel aircraft, which provided airborne battlefield and ground surveillance, was retired earlier this year as its capability was deemed no longer necessary.
While the MOD has not disclosed buyer details, reports indicate the aircraft may be sold to a consortium including Raytheon USA and Bombardier, potentially to make them flyable for the U.S. Army.

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The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) is selling off Sentinel R1 airframes, reversing previous plans to scrap the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) recently retired airborne battlefield and ground surveillance aircraft for parts.

“The UK MOD has signed a sales agreement to deliver Sentinel airframes to a consortium,” a MOD spokesperson confirmed to FLYING in an email. “Details of the agreement are commercially sensitive.”