Concerns over the UK’s planned procurement of 12 F-35A fighters dominated the latter part of the Westminster Hall debate on Typhoon sovereign capability.

Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP for Huntingdon, argued that the Government’s announcement of the A-variant risks masking deeper questions about the UK’s combat air posture.

He described the F-35A plan as “a red herring”, noting that the aircraft are intended to substitute directly for 12 F-35Bs from a future tranche and will not arrive until the 2030s.

Obese-Jecty highlighted confusion over the aircraft’s proposed nuclear burden sharing role within NATO. The F-35A has been presented as the platform that would deliver the UK element of NATO’s dual capable mission, yet it is slated to join 207 Squadron, the Operational Conversion Unit responsible for training new F-35 pilots. He told MPs that “using the planes as a training fleet workhorse does not scream nuclear readiness” and asked the Minister to confirm how many of the aircraft would be held at operational readiness.

Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former RAF pilot, responded that the OCU instructors represent the highest-skilled cadre within the force and argued that placing the nuclear capable aircraft in that unit “makes eminent sense”. Obese-Jecty replied that this amounted to implicit confirmation that instructor pilots could form the core of the UK’s nuclear readiness force and pressed Ministers to clarify whether a certification timeline exists. He added “I do not think the RAF knows either, given there is currently no timeline for gaining nuclear certification.”

Capability integration formed a central part of his critique. The MP warned that the F-35 remains unable to field the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, noting that “our top-of-the-range jet fighter currently has no stand-off air-to-air missile capability”. Government statements suggest Meteor could enter service on the aircraft in the early 2030s, but Obese-Jecty drew attention to a Public Accounts Committee report that highlighted uncertainty around the timetable and the need for interim weapons. He asked the Minister to identify any off-the-shelf systems being considered and how they might be integrated.

He also argued that the F-35’s reliance on support from fourth-generation fighters undermines the planned hybrid air wing. “In order to use our very expensive, top-of-the-range… fifth-generation F-35s, we have to fly them alongside… Typhoons, because only they can carry the payload to defend them in air-to-air combat”, he said.

Obese-Jecty questioned the long term sustainability of the F-35 fleet, whose out-of-service date extends to 2069. “By that point some of our 138 airframes will be over 50 years old”, he warned, asking whether such ageing jets can realistically remain the backbone of UK airpower as uncrewed systems mature.

He concluded by calling for a coherent airpower strategy, referencing remarks by the Chief of the Defence Staff earlier this year that the RAF has “no major equipment programmes planned for the next 15 years”.

Responding for the Government Defence Minister Al Carns replied:

“We set out in the SDR that the RAF’s future lies in accelerating its adoption of the latest technology and innovation, and setting the pace for warfighting as the leading European air force. The Typhoon is central to delivering control of the air for the RAF and is undergoing a comprehensive set of upgrades to deliver operational advantage to meet evolving threats.

The Typhoon will continue to underpin our combat air capability into the 2040s; it and the F-35 Lightning form an interoperable, complementary and extremely potent mix of UK combat aircraft. That means that the Government will continue to make significant investments in the Typhoon through-life programme, with the new electronically scanned radar programme alone underpinned by a £3 billion investment. This programme with our Eurofighter partner nations is on track for delivery in the next decade and will continue to sustain 600 jobs across the UK, including in Edinburgh.”

George Allison
George Allison
George Allison is the founder and editor of the UK Defence Journal. He holds a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and specialises in naval and cyber security topics. George has appeared on national radio and television to provide commentary on defence and security issues. Twitter: @geoallison
Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

41 COMMENTS

  1. Wow, a former RAF pilot who is a labour MP think it’s a good idea.

    Any Tory or Reform MP’s former RAF pilots? Or do they not like to get their hands too dirty, most of them seem to be former “journalists” or Tory staffers now.

  2. ” No Major RAF Equipment Programmes planned for the next 15 years”.

    Well Blimey, I guess that’s Tempest maybe in the 2040’s then !

      • If the CDS says Major Equipment, I’d be thinking Aircraft personally.

        But you probably are correct.

        So what Aircraft are we Purchasing in the next 15 years ? I’m thinking a steady drip of B’s to help keep o/a levels at a historic low given Typhoons will keep being axed in that same time span.

        • Yeah, I imagine that there’ll be further purchases of the F-35, given that’s what the RAF wants. I also imagine they’ll be split in the same ratio as the planned order between A and B models.

          Then, Tempest orders will start to arrive (with the initial order for all three partners expected to be about 350), accompanied by unmanned aircraft, which will be used in a similar way to those going to the RN – to build mass without manning costs.

          I don’t see Typhoon getting any further orders.

        • I’m not sure you can drip a B as it’s a solid.. I suppose you could always melt it down and drip it, but that would be a bit of a waste of a really expensive aircraft.

      • So what determines ‘equipment’ exactly if aircraft aren’t included I wonder. Missiles? If so there are programmes present and planned, radar well we know that’s also progressing both for Typhoon and Tempest, sensors the same. Ejector seats being developed for Tempest. So what else? Drones, well plenty of proposals who knows what actually gets produced but clearly something will be by 2040 even in my most cynical mindset. What am I missing and what’s being referred to that we have nothing taking place or so far planned for introduction come 2040.

        • You have to have Imagination !!!!

          I can Imagine all sorts, not neccessarily anything remotely related but I’m happy in my own little bubble.

          Anyway, someone will know exactly what equipment we will be getting, it normally starts a little later after the corks start popping.

          I’m probably going to miss it though as It’s raining hard now and my rook leaks and I like counting the drips.

  3. Huh? The RAF does have a stand-off air-to-air capability in the form of the AMRAAM-C and AMRAAM-D.

    Are we just lying in the HoC now, or does they know something that we (and the RAF) don’t?

      • There’s another high functional political system that functions on spewing lies about the various parties across the pond, as well.

        That’s my real fear with regards to the British political system. That it will go the way of the American equivalent.

    • All sounds rather confused to me I have to say, Indeed there is AMRAAM, decent enough though arguably a little range deficient these days, but that’s another story. Ironically that’s one of its more effective weapons, stand off ground attack seems to be the real weakness which after all is the aircraft’s prime role in reality. Maybe someone confused with part knowledge and not doing their homework who knows.

  5. Shows how little some of these guys know. Id take a F35B with AMRAAM against a Typhoon with Meteor any day of the week in a BVR engagement.

    • Exactly. It looks like the RAF are realising that as well. The Typhoon is just no longer tenable in modern air-to-air combat, at least not alone. It’ll become a similar system to the F/A-18E, a missile truck for the F-35 and Tempest.

      Stealth is the price of admission.

        • Haha, not quite. The Typhoon has, and will continue to have, a place in modern air-to-air combat. There’s also a constant requirement to maintain QRA, which the Typhoon is exceptional at, and won’t have a competent replacement in that role till Tempest arrives from 2035.

          The F-35 production and maintenance schedule is also not brilliant, to say the least.

          But from a pure capability standpoint, I’d push for further F-35A and F-35B procurement over Typhoon procurement, especially now the Turkish order is secure.

          • Over 1,300 F-35 have been built. The build schedule is fine. The rate at which it is bought by the UK, is a different matter.

            • Well there was a rather big hiccup a year ago for much of the year over US refusal to accept airframes till they were deemed met updated spec not sure how much it’s affected deliveries since.

        • Typhoon is an amazing capability. But that all aspect stealth, sensor fusion and very very capable APG-81 radar makes a big ole difference.

      • Hmmm…still believe there is a role for limited numbers of bomb/missile trucks in future disputes. Not every sortie will be against peer opponents, nor Day1, kick the door in, missions. Hence the USAF F-15EX order. Additionally, there is an obvious maturation curve for 5th/6th gen a/c. All the “ilities” are royally biting us in the collective ass w/ current/next gen. Really is a role for “kick the tires, light the fires, at ’em gentlemen, time to f**k the bandits.” Believe that mission is in the ops manuals under the heading “in case of war, break glass.” 😉😁

        • Yes, a mixture of things that work and you have the knowledge, stockpiles and logistics is rat her essential.

          As you say there is IRL a Hi-Lo mix needed as not everything is high end. And to mangle a great saying a ‘good platform in hand is worth 10 in the DIP.’

          Joking apart we have a fully formed Typhoon operation with 100+ great jets and allies that have 100s more so the R&D and spares are going to be going for some decades yet. We also have full sovereign access to code and the ability to do our own modifications and enhancements if needs be.

          Then you have this whole BlockIV malarky. Which everyone is suffering under. Now that may produce the most amazing aircraft ever: I really hope so. But LM’s track record on this is not stellar. And there is also the issue of getting the new weapons fits up to FOC which will take even longer.

          I suspect that RAF have bought David Cameron’s abandoned war predicting crystal ball at a knock down price from Mystic Meg’s estate. [Remember this is the one that was consulted regarding aircraft carriers and came back with the answers,’we cannot see a use for an aircraft carrier in the next 10 years’ – cue one war in Libya – ‘err, Admiral, can we send a carrier’ – ‘no we cannot, Prime Minister’].

          So a hedging of bets is needed: which is the direction everyone else has gone in with ordering 20 or so new Typhoon except, of course, UK. Germany ordered a real number of F35A as well as more Typhoon.

      • That is just so erroneous. It’s only true in the forseeable future in any conflict with China who are obviously going to be the biggest operator of 5th Gen and beyond military aircraft. But the quality of those aircraft is as yet unproven but by 2030 will be a very difficult proposition. But China is far from being a likely opponent for Britain. The Typhoon will be effective well into the thirties in respect of any other opponent. Equally as we don’t know the implications for such technologies that China is developing around Quantum and other sensor technology Stealth could be anything from the minimum for survival to being of little value, certainly as stealth is known today, which means compromised airframes with relative short range might become untenable too, or other factors may take primacy. Certainly not worth making presumptions at this stage other than to focus on our most likely adversaries be it Russia or non peer adversaries who will only be heightened threats if they get much of that Chinese advanced technology. Only speculative at this point.

  6. It does irritate me when our MPs who are meant to represent us spout utter ill informed rubbish, “our top-of-the-range jet fighter currently has no stand-off air-to-air missile capability” so much BS is equipped with AIM-120D which is a missile with a 100 mile range that is most definitely stand of range.. it may not be the very best western BVR missile on the toolbox but that does not stop it from being very good.

    • Most MPs are clueless and are only interested in Defence regards jobs for their constituency, not the wider wellbeing and capability of their nations military.
      They should read in on here.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

By submitting this comment, you agree to the storage and handling of your data by this website in accordance with our Privacy Policy.