UK funds additional F-35 squadron but doubts persist over future fleet total
An F-35B aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth during Carrier Strike Group 2021. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK MoD has put £1.4 billion ($1.9 billion) toward purchasing additional F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter jets as part of its new ten-year Equipment Plan.
Funding for this second tranche of aircraft will be made available from 2027-2028, following delivery in 2025 of all 48 units already on order from Lockheed Martin.
Although the plan does not mention the exact number of aircraft to be newly acquired, rough estimates suggest that 12-16 platforms could be ordered or at least another squadron added.
Shephard understands the UK and US governments are currently in negotiations to determine support
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Air Warfare
-
US, in prescribing Taiwan’s mission, rebuffs MH-60R sale
The current administration in the US is proving less willing than Trump was to sell military equipment to Taiwan.
-
Australia’s first MC-55A Peregrine is spotted
The first known MC-55A for Australia has been seen flying in the US since March as part of a test programme.
-
Raytheon gains StormBreaker lifecycle support contract modification
StormBreaker already equips F-15E fighter aircraft and the glide bomb is also undergoing developmental and operational testing with the F-35B.
-
Persistence pays off with ARRW hypersonic test
The ARRW air-launched hypersonic missile test programme has had its share of delays and mishaps, but Lockheed Martin and the USAF have finally conducted a successful boosted flight test.
-
Canberra promises to multiply MQ-28A Ghost Bats
The current Australian government is promising to accelerate development of the Loyal Wingman project for the RAAF.
-
US awards initial spares contract for F-35 Lot 16 aircraft
The latest F-35 contract modification for Lockheed Martin follows a deal covering ‘ancillary mission equipment requirements’ for Lot 15 and Lot 16 aircraft.