The UK expects to complete procurement of an additional 12 F-35A and 15 F-35B aircraft by 2033, with the initial batch of 48 F-35Bs due for delivery by March 2026, according to statements made in the House of Lords.
Speaking during a defence question session, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence Lord Coaker confirmed that the second phase of the UK’s F-35 programme will include 27 aircraft: “12 F-35As and 15 F-35Bs, which will enable the stand-up of the third front-line squadron focused on F-35Bs.”
He added that the government remains committed to acquiring 138 F-35s over the life of the programme, as first stated in its long-term plans.
Lord Coaker also confirmed that the decision to procure F-35As now, ahead of the Defence Investment Plan expected this autumn, was taken in light of “serious geopolitical challenges” and does not alter the total number of aircraft planned. He said it was “important that we made that decision at this particular time in the light of the threat that we face.”
Responding to concerns raised by Lord Houghton of Richmond, Coaker acknowledged that the 12 F-35As would replace 12 of the originally planned F-35Bs and that the A variant is “some 20% cheaper,” saving approximately $240 million. However, he also confirmed that the UK currently lacks the sovereign air-to-air refuelling capability for the F-35A, meaning allied support will be necessary: “He is right about the refuelling capability; there will need to be allied support for that,” Coaker said.
Pressed by Lord West of Spithead, Coaker declined to commit to a review of the UK’s nuclear doctrine but noted that doctrine is always under consideration. He also reaffirmed that the broader investment decisions outlined in the Strategic Defence Review remain on track for the autumn, despite the timing of the F-35A announcement.
Baroness Goldie sought assurance on delivery timelines, to which Coaker responded that he had “every confidence” in meeting the procurement schedule for both variants.
If you need a Plumber to fix that annoying drip, then I’m your bloke.
On a less serious note, I wonder what Corbin thinks about the F35A procurement along with it’s intended role ?
Corbyn is going to be busy creating his new marxist-Islamist alliance party.
If he ever takes power he would sell off the armed forces equipment and give all the money to our ex-colonies.
I’d rejoin the EU tomorrow to avoid that 5th Columnist being anywhere near power.
Hi DM. Highly unlikely he’d get sufficient political traction. The Corbyns, Arderns and Tradeaus left a trail of damage, mistrust and resentment. Their time is over, certainly for the medium futures! I’m unhappy about this F35 timing and the number are simply inadequate particularly in light of the retirement of the Tranche 1 Typhoon. Anyhow, hope you’re having grand summer!
Hi Chris.
Long time no speak.
Yes, thank you.
Airborne is operational, pops up now and again but he’s around.
Yes, a paltry 27, over the best part of the next decade!
But with 12 billion just to develop GCAP, never mind buy it, and 15 Billion on Astrea warhead and associated AWE infrastructure, I’m not surprised.
Sooner people realize actual military kit is last on the list for HMG re the MoD budget the better as far as I’m concerned, but that is my cynical position after near three decades of let downs and I see no sign of that changing with this lot.
This split purchase preserves the UK’s option to persue multiple acquisition/deployment strategies for F-35. Inspired decision, whether deliberate or fortuitous.
Hardly inspired. Just more cost cutting
So with 74 aircraft in eight years time we will be able to have three squadrons. WOW! 36 (?) in the active wing and 38 for….?
Availability of F35 is around 50 percent. So yes
I vote the 12 f35A’ s will be called the Lord Coaker squadron and when it’s decided that this was the wrong decision all those involved should hand back their govt pensions
A political purchase.
Lord Robertson did not support it, and said as such. So who decided on this?
8 years, to equip the RAF by 27 further aircraft. Which, no matter how they spin it, is no expansion, considering the hundreds discarded with no replacement over the last 20 years.
How does it improve NATO one iota having 12 RAF jets capable of dropping free fall bombs the US shares in war with other NATO air forces?
Nailed it.
I have tried and failed to imagine the process that led to this decision. Happily, given the time to delivery, there is a good chance this utterly bizarre commitment will be reversed.
It does seem strange to drag this small order out to 2033. If we ordered today, they would be in UK service by 2030 at the latest.
I would imagine the RAF is scratching it’s head and wondering what to do with 12 F35A,
Is it the OCU and spares for no operational squadrons ???
Is it 9 aircraft for the Red Arrows, with three spares for display and tactical nuclear attack during the winter break???
Can we strap Lord Coaker to a B61-12 a la Major TJ “King” Kong when we take delivery of the first F35A ?
12 F-35a, which would fly to collect the bombs from another location. How many will be combat-ready? Hollow posturing.
At least it is nearby, a minutes flying time?! Lakenheath and Marham are close.
Or would just moving them by road be better?
Marham has a SSA at the SW end of the station that could take them, but would cost to update it. And of course the vaults beneath some of the HAS.
Whatever, we should be building our own stand off tactical capability, not using US.
Any whiff of extra Typhoons being purchased and or upgraded and sooner?
I’d previously read that the original all-F35B Tranche 2 was going to be delivered at a rate of 3 airframes a year, which could have meant Q4/2034 or Q1/2035. So this is an acceleration, presumably due to us being able to order 4 F35As a year will a similar amount of funds as for 3 F35Bs.
The extra 12 F35s flying to Lakenheath to pick up the bombs will be the difference between winning and losing I’m sure as they’re won’t be enough already there to do it themselves I’m sure, there are a more F35s in Lakenheath than the entire RAF F35 fleet. I really don’t see what this purchase is offering to anyone
So the next small batch of F35 which is now split in half won’t be done until 2033. That’s two years before Tempest is suppose to be ready which means the RAF will never go back above 200 airframes.
If the government is serious about going to 3% or 3.5% on defence what do they suppose they will spend it on.
A big increase in the RAF fast jet force procuring F35 was probably the only area the uk had the industrial and manpower capacity to generate a significant force increase and by stretching out an already previously confirmed purchase for a further decade it can no longer do anything as fleet numbers can’t be increased for at-least ten years and the army can’t even recruit the 73,000 it has authorised.
“If the government is serious about going to 3% or 3.5% on defence what do they suppose they will spend it on.”
Industry. DNE. Pensions. Ukraine. More industry. Housing. The SIA. More industry. Lots of R&D ( going to industry ) And as much non actual core conventional military spend as they can put in to their % would be my answer.
This government have less interest in defence than the last, no matter what Starmer grandstands.
These F35As should just be seen as a stopgap for Tempest which, let’s face it, probably won’t be delivered on time.
It’s a shame we’ll be using B61s though. It would make more sense to have a sovereign deterrent.
Anyone know wht the refuelling probe isnt a standard across NATO . It would make more sense surely ?