RAF to axe eye-in-the-sky early-warning planes two years before replacements are ready

THE RAF is axing its eye-in-the-sky early-warning planes two years before their replacements are ready.

It means our pilots will have to fly blind from December – or look to the Luftwaffe for help.

“Biggles would turn in his grave,” an ex-flying ace told The Sun.

The ageing fleet of E-3 Sentry AWACS planes are due to be retired this year.

But their E-7 Wedgetail replacements will not be operational until December 2023.

The aircraft use long-range radar to spot enemy jets and missiles.

Ex-Armed Forces minister Mark Francois said: “It is unacceptable the RAF will lose its own eye in the sky for two years.”

“We should not be playing games with the air defence of the United Kingdom under any circumstances.”

The MoD said Nato’s early-warning force, led by Luftwaffe Maj Gen Jörg Lebert, would “provide cover”.

“The UK will be reducing its commitment to Nato, there is no getting around that,” an RAF source admitted.

The RAF said UK airspace would be protected by ground-based radar.