Best of British: Red Arrows to embark on 60-day world tour

The Red Arrows are being sent on a 60-day tour around the world to promote the 'Best of British'.

Beginning with a fly past in Amman, Jordan, the Typhoons will be sent to India, China and to Abu Dhabi in time for the Formula One Grand Prix in November.

They will also be deployed to the Asia-Pacific region for the first time - including trips to Malaysia, Japan and Korea - in what is being called Exercise Eastern Venture.

The plans had been in development since 2014, but would help underline Britain as a "global player" in the wake of the Brexit result.

The Red Arrows, performing earlier this year. Credit: PA

Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier, the chief of Air Staff, said: "It's about sending that message that the UK is a confident, major world player and reinforcing our prosperity.

"The Red Arrows demonstrate the best of the Royal Air Force, it demonstrates those qualities of skill and professionalism and self-discipline that we value very highly, but they are also an iconic British brand."

The world-famous aerobatic display team will take 12 Hawk T1s from their base in RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire for the exercise.

Sir Hillier added: "Everyone knows the Red Arrows and we are sending that message out to the Asia-Pacific region, a region which we have not previously been to."

"This is a demonstration of that continuing engagement across the world, getting out there and showing the best of British, reinforcing our prosperity and reinforcing our relationships with a whole range of key allies and partners."