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)
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
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon
The technology demonstrator forms part of a wider effort to help the Royal Navy explore the potential of uncrewed systems supporting its existing crewed aviation platforms.
-
Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision
The MQ-7C uncrewed aircraft is currently undergoing further internal flight tests ahead of a government test event anticipated for next year.
-
November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs
In November 2025, GA-ASI unveiled a new Gambit variant, the Gambit 6, and appears to be pitching the aircraft series to various customers in the Middle East, which is a fast-emerging CCA market. The Dubai Airshow also saw the unveiling of various Emirati aircraft from Edge Group.
-
Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill
This test is the latest milestone achieved by the indigenous drone, destroying a target using a beyond-visual-range missile.