F-35B delivery date slips to 2026, UK MoD confirms
The seven F-35B aircraft in Lot 17 should have been delivered by 2025. (Photo: Crown Copyright)
The UK was originally set to receive all remaining aircraft by the end of 2025, although the MoD had previously forecast that deliveries could be delayed until April 2026.
Delivery for four out of the remaining seven aircraft in the UK’s initial order of F-35B combat jets has slipped to next year, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The aircraft, which were all originally set to be delivered at the end of 2025 as part of production contract Lot 17, now won’t be delivered until April 2026 – three to four months outside of the original contract. Three F-35B aircraft are still set to arrive on schedule.
Responding to questions in the UK Parliament, UK defence minister Luke Pollard said that despite this delay it is “not expected to have an
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![US military plans multi-UAV trials with Northrop Grumman quantum-navigated Lumberjack]()
US military plans multi-UAV trials with Northrop Grumman quantum-navigated Lumberjack
An undisclosed US military branch is preparing to evaluate multiple Lumberjack Group 3 drones equipped with SandboxAQ’s AQNav magnetic-navigation system. Shephard spoke with Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ to find out more.
-
![Akinci: How Baykar turned the UAV into an African and Middle Eastern export success]()
Akinci: How Baykar turned the UAV into an African and Middle Eastern export success
From billion-dollar industrial partnerships in the Middle East to rapid military off-the-shelf deliveries in Africa, Baykar has tailored the Akinci to the needs of very different customers. Defence Insight data shows how flexibility, price and Turkish supply-chain independence have helped drive exports.
-
![US Pentagon pushes procurement of dismounted counter-UAS capabilities]()
US Pentagon pushes procurement of dismounted counter-UAS capabilities
The US services are investing in lighter, autonomous and networked systems to protect mobile troops from drone threats.
-
![US Army extended-range CUAS missile ramjet work to continue through December 2029]()
US Army extended-range CUAS missile ramjet work to continue through December 2029
Northrop Grumman’s US$18.8 million XRC propulsion contract runs through December 2029, but performance targets and the pathway to operational fielding remain undisclosed.
