The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the planned in-service date for the Spear Capability 3 air-to-surface weapon has been pushed to the early 2030s, according to a draft timeline.
This delay comes as the programme undergoes re-baselining, with a review expected towards the end of 2025. In response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Minister Maria Eagle stated:
“The Spear Capability 3 air-to-surface weapon programme is currently undergoing re-baselining, with a Review Note expected towards the end of 2025. Until that is approved, dates are considered draft and of low confidence. The estimated current timeline for in-service capability is expected to be early 2030s.”
This update reflects a significant shift from earlier projections. The SPEAR 3 missile was originally planned to enter service in 2025. However, challenges related to development and coordination with international partners prompted a reassessment.
Similarly, integration with the F-35B has also been delayed. Initially, the Ministry of Defence aimed to complete the integration by 2025. However, as of early 2025, the timeline had already shifted due to technical challenges linked to the F-35’s Block 4 upgrade – an essential software update required to accommodate new weapon systems like SPEAR 3.
Prior to the re-baselining announcement, the RAF and Royal Navy had anticipated that SPEAR 3 would be fielded on F-35s by the fourth quarter of 2028. This plan has now been postponed, with the integration likely to align with the new in-service date in the early 2030s.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to finalise a new timeline for SPEAR 3’s introduction by the summer of 2026. Until then, the early 2030s remains the most likely window for the weapon to become operational on the UK’s F-35B fleet.
Spear 3
SPEAR 3 is an air-launched cruise missile developed by MBDA UK for the Royal Air Force, designed to deliver precision effects at range against mobile and relocatable targets. Part of the SPEAR family, it also includes the SPEAR-EW electronic warfare variant for jamming and decoy purposes. The missile measures approximately 1.8 metres in length, weighs under 90 kg, and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney TJ-150 turbojet engine, providing an operational range exceeding 140 km. Its guidance systems include millimetre wave active radar homing, semi-active laser guidance, infrared homing, GPS-coupled inertial guidance, and a two-way data link for real-time targeting adjustments.
SPEAR 3 is being developed for integration with the F-35B Lightning II as part of an upgrade programme, with testing also carried out on the Eurofighter Typhoon. The missile’s design prioritises low-collateral damage and high accuracy in all weather conditions, making it suitable for targeting in complex environments with restrictive rules of engagement. Its modular nature allows for future adaptability, and the inclusion of advanced guidance systems ensures precision against a wide range of threats.
This comes as zero surprise. F35B may not even get a Block 4 upgrade now. So What Mod are not saying is for F35 integration 2035 at the earliest or maybe never
And then there was block 4
In at number 3 “Oops, we did it again!”.
Britain Spears.
Everyone talks about SPEAR 3 in relation to F-35B, but I take it there must be problems with the recently reported SPEAR3/Typhoon testing?
As far as I recall, Spear 3 isn’t expected to operate from Typhoon. It’s just being tested there.
Really, geez then it may not get into service till Tempest or perhaps never as it may well be near obsolete before it gets to that point. Not sure even F-35s will be widely operable at 140km range by then geez no certainty this decade. Very worrying.
Why can’t they at least integrate into the Typhoon then? Get it made and happening sooner? Why the issues when aren’t they progressing either the Meteor?
Not unexpected, but no less annoying. Sea Venom and FC/ASW are now even more critical, but additionally I’m now thinking that an interim purchase of TLAM Block V for ASM duty may be necessary, to enter service alongside the Type 26.
NSM purchases should be able to cover some of the gaps, but there will be a continued vulnerability.
Id say air launched NSM- JSM would be a better option as its cheaper than Tomahawk, more stealthy and can be carried as a polyvalent unit saturating an attacker with 3-4 missiles vs just one big slow target with tomahawk, LRASM might be a better option but I doubt the UK could get onto the production cycle for LRASM for the next 10-15 years as they are selling as many as they can build as fast as they can build them to the USAF and USN and USMC.
Dare I say it… what about air launched exocet?- its been continuously updated and would suffice for the antishipping role.
My preference would be JSM and a big order. something off the shelf and able to be delivered rapidly and in decent numbers to equip typhoon and F35B- its probably the only currently available stand off weapon that fits into the F35B internal weapons bay- approach to target, fire off weapon from +340 miles away- far out of interceptor SAM range
Crucially we will have interoperability with the USN/ USMC, Japanese and Italian navy/ air forces who have all recently selected JSM. Cost is currently £2.6 million each but price is coming down with new customers from allied nations agreeing purchases. An interim order of say 200 missiles for £600 million would cover the RN and RAF standoff attack requirements until SPEAR 3 does eventually come online.
JSM doesn’t fit into the F35Bs weapons bay unlike the other F35s. Has to be carried externally, compromising stealth.
Norway integrating JSM on P-8 tho’
Does that matter, so long as the pylon+missile combination doesn’t affect the detection range too much?
Can still launch from standoff range beyond what any modern system can shoot down an F35 at.
I agree the JSM also has low observability, so the stealth compromise would be small.
What a shock. Now all we have to look forward to is a non event SDR.
Indeed, Ive got my written response already drafted and ready to send to my MP, the defence secretary and the prime ministers office.
We all know its going to be a complete fudge, full of management speak and spin vs reality.
Doubt there will be a single thing in the defence review that will allude to the government reversing decades of cuts, investing adequately in the armed forces and crucially adding firepower, units and attritional reserve capacity back.
Force levels have gone to stupidly low standards, inadequate deployable forces across all 3 services which only emboldens the UKs enemies.
Once Russia finishes with Ukraine, which eventually it will do- be that in 3 or 5 years time then what, the UKs only strategy for facing a new axis of Russia, North Korea, China and Iran with some South American and African nations likely to get ever closer to these countries seems to be keep Ukraine in the fight and drag out a costly war of attrition which Ukraine and Russia will pay for in blood, Ukraine with little to no prospect of victory and European NATO not providing them with the tools and equipment needed to gain a victory.
I hope and pray SDSR delivers tangible improvements but the mood music (and rumours coming out of Whitehall) indicate it isn’t looking good.
You’ll have to wait for the Defence Command Paper, which is now to be timed with the budget/comprehensive spending review in the autumn for any of the detail you clamour for.
What a ****ing joke.
They need to look at integrating a wing kit on paveway IV as a matter of urgency now and integrating spear EW on typhoon. We can’t keep waiting forever for this.
Is this a Spear 3 problem or a Spear 3/F35B integration problem, the article is not clear?
It appears its both, delay in making the weapon means they can’t integrate it on F35 then there is a massive further delay to integrate on F35 once weapon is finally ready.
Can we produce anything on time and on cost in this country? It’s so depressing.
Plenty, it’s just the Brits like whinging, as our Australian cousins have observed.
Suggest the project is being baselined to match the integration progress. No point building an inventory of missiles that start eating shelf life if they can’t be launched.
Is integration on Typhoon being made dependent on integration on F-35B?
Nope. Already integrated for testing. won’t be integrated for service deployment just to save money
Soon to become 2040 no doubt. By the time its operational others will be fielding weapons a generation newer. The farce show rolls on as normal…
Its because of piss poor procurement and project management, continuous interference and changing of specifications and the MOD and Top Brass always insisting on GUCCI equipment when good enough is good enough. It shouldn’t be too difficult, you fit a seeker head onto a relatively modest missile and launch it at your enemy. as long as the guidance, tracking and seeker head do their jobs as designed it should hit its target.
Why its being pushed back to 2030s is anyone’s guess. Im thinking its probably a lack of funding to push the integration through now whilst last minute changes to specifications have been added throwing the contract off its timeline.
You really couldn’t make it up.
I think an interim purchase of 200 JSM’s would be a good idea at this stage. At least they can fit into the weapons bay of an F35B and are a proven off the shelf design already in service with the USAF/USN and USMC and now selected for our allies in Italy, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands. It is fast becoming the default weapon of choice for the western F35 fleets.- cost for 200 missiles- around £600 million- so substantial sum of money but not a deal breaker.
Sorry, once again, a JSM can’t fit in the weapons bay of an F35B
As SB pointed out it can go under the wings. No too stealthy but no other option. Can go on P8s.
The Italians plan to carry JSM on their F35Bs using the external weapons mounts.
It’s been posted here before, they have the Marte ER on their Typhoon’s and Merlin’s which is something the UK could do. Not Spear 3 but available now.
Not convinced the ‘War Time Mentality’ as sunk in.
The MoD talks a good game on war time mentality if it means a fat increase in spending.
They are somewhat quieter if it means eradicating staff officer positions and the revolving door between the military and industry.
That is seriously bad news. The complex weapons team had had a pretty good record up until now, so I wonder how much of this decision is driven by platform issues..?
Cheers CR
Squeezed out of the budget by FC/ASW? Tyhoon will have Brimstone 3 soon and Paveway. Plus there is promise of lots of gucci artillery…ATACMS, Project Brakestop…I’m losing count. Maybe they feel it’s not urgent.
Well as our F-35s pretty much only have Paveways and self defence missiles at the moment (and not even the preferred one at that) it’s not clear exactly what their truly effective role will be till then, pr probably its prime function despite the brave talk… oh but that is pr.
With Paveway 4 they have all weather night/day precision strike capability against fixed and moving targets. AMRAAM/ASRAAM provides air to air capability only matched by F22.
From 10km !
Like a glowing lightbuld to any half decent IR detection system
Mprming Robert, some questions on this. If the Paveway’s are just free fall – why not have a powered version for extra reach? Can they adapt the ASRAAM into a Spear 3 type variant? And what’s happening with the Meteor integration then? Is this progressing? Will the F35Bs be able to carry the Meteor under the wings for extra load out if needed?
And yet there will still be many (inc. on here) who will maintain that Spear3 on F35B will make it a great plane..whilst sticking their head in the sand regards any issues or timeliness.
I’m going to nail my colours to the mast and state I don’t believe this will ever happen.- and if it does it will be too late to make.any bloody difference.
It will make it a great plane, but I think a 5+ year timeline requires an interim option.. AGM 154 would give a greater stand off range with some submunition options.
If you read what what was said and what was not said it’s pretty clear it’s a Lockheed Martin issue, not so much a spear 3 issue.
The thing is the RAF really does need an anti ship missile of some description if spear three and the new anti ship missile are not going to be around until the 2030s then they need an interim option, maybe get MARTE ER as most of the integration work on typhoon has been done.
It may be worth as an interim biting the bullet and getting a long range interim ground attack weapon for the F35Bs such as the AGM 154 variants.
I agree, we need a rethink and options. It’s all rather like having a McLaren with a moped engine as things stand, it looks like it’s top notch and races but in action anything but and indeed pretty useless in its originally planned roles. Embarrassing. What are other B version users planning we can’t let this continue 6 years plus, the F-35 is supposed to be the point of the spear taking out SAMS and infrastructure so lesser aircraft can follow through later not simply be an expensive version of those aircraft. The Bs range and internal capacity already limits such capability so this hardly helps matters.
5 years from now? hope it still relevant by the time it’s ready for serial production
Are we better off finding an alternative 🤔
Hate to say it but that question has to be asked but what serious alternatives are there for the B?
Well what a surprise, who’d thought.
I think at present the only long range option is the AGM 154
Tell Vlad and his autocratic allies to hold off on starting any new “special military operations” for 5 years or so then.
Yep, and IF the russians were to take Ukraine successfully, then they have already said they will attack other countries
Why stop at the border, eh!
We could always drop leaflets instead of bombs!
The threat by russia is not being taken seriously by Politicians and the Military
WTF is F-35 using for anti-shipping more to the point? A bloody JDAM????