The Saudi Hawks, the national Royal Saudi Air Force aerobatic team of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are officially known as the Saudi Falcons in their home territory, but for some reason are known as The Saudi Hawks in Europe. Perhaps this is to avoid confusion with the Royal Jordanian Falcons Aerobatic Team? They are shown here at RAF Fairford, UK displaying on the Saturday of The Royal international Air Tattoo 2023.
On June 6, 1998, at King Abdulaziz Air Base (Dhahran), No. 88 Squadron was created by Gen. Abdulaziz Henaidy, the Royal Saudi Air Force's chief of staff, who is backed by Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz (Minister of Defense and Aviation). The squadron is known as the "Saudi Falcons Aerobatic Team." Flying BAE Hawk Mk.65 and 65A jet trainers, it is the Royal Saudi Air Force's (RSAF) official demonstration team.
The Falcons debuted in January 1999 at Riyadh, the Saudi kingdom's capital, as part of Saudi Arabia's 100th anniversary celebrations. Six smoke-capable BAE Hawk Mk.65A and three Mk.65s-all modified by BAE Systems are assigned to the team and now wear the team's striking green and white demonstration colors. In February 2000, the Falcons first appeared outside their homeland - in Bahrain, flying out of Dhahran. Soon afterward, the team and the various RSAF Hawk squadrons moved to King Faisal Airbase (Tabuk) in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The team draws comparison with the RAF Red Arrows due to the similar aircraft. There are tangible links as ex-Red Arrows personnel have been involved in training the team.
From June 2002, the team toured the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia for four months and performed at civil and military shows. The team performed its first ever display in Europe at Air Power 2011 in Zeltweg.
In July 2011, they displayed in the UK for the first time. The display was cancelled on the first day of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford due to bad weather, but they flew a rolling display the following day.
In June 2014, they displayed in the Kavala Air Sea Show which was held in Kavala, Greece.
On 6 September 2015, they displayed in front of 450,000 spectators at the airshow dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the Frecce Tricolori display team at Rivolto Air Base, Italy.
In January 2018, they displayed in the Kuwait Air Show, Kuwait.
In July 2023, they displayed at RAF Waddington Families Evening (England) and at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford (shown here).
The British designed and built BAE Systems Hawk is one of the world's most successful advanced jet trainers. Originally designed by Hawker Siddeley, the Hawk first flew in 1974 and entered service with the RAF in 1976 to replace the Folland Gnat T.1; enjoying superb export success having being procured in various guises by 19 nations. Whilst the original Hawk is no longer used by the RAF other than by the Red Arrows, the heavily updated Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is currently operated by 4 and 25 Squadrons at RAF Valley as the Hawk T.2 where they are used to train the next generation of fighter pilots. Since 2008 the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer has also been licence built in India and flown by the Indian Air Force display team, the Surya Kiran.
The Royal Saudi Air Force originally ordered 50 Hawk Mk.65/65As over two contracts in 1985 and 1994. In addition, the RSAF ordered 22 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) based on the Hawk Mk.128 in 2012 with a follow-on order for a further 22 being made in 2016. It is intended that the Hawk AJT will replace the Mk.65 fleet once deliveries have been completed. The Hawk Mk.65 currently equips the RSAF display team, the Saudi Hawks, who fly seven examples seen here.
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