iscover
after it arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown. (LAC Kurt Lewis, Defence)
The UK is set to follow Australia and purchase a squadron of 12 A-variant F-35s.
According to reports, the aircraft are being purchased to carry tactical nuclear weapons, a capability that isn’t possible with the B-variant F-35 currently operated by the nation’s Royal Air Force.
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The F-35 Lightning II comes in three variants: the F-35A, which is a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) version; the F-35B, which is a short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant, and the final F-35C, which is the carrier type (CV).
The UK’s new jets will be based at RAF Marham, with the government expected to procure 138 F-35s over the lifetime of the programme.
The procurement of 12 F-35A will effectively replace an order of 12 F-35B – a decision that will also deliver a saving of up to 25 per cent per aircraft.
Prime Minister Kier Starmer said the purchase represents the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation and also reintroduces a nuclear role for the RAF for the first time since the UK retired its sovereign air-launched nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War.
“In an era of radical uncertainty, we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security, ensuring our Armed Forces have the equipment they need and communities up and down the country reap the benefits from our defence dividend,” Starmer said.
“Supporting 100 businesses across the country and more than 20,000 jobs, these F35 dual capable aircraft will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter hostile threats that threaten the UK and our Allies.
“The UK’s commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the Alliance’s contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure, but we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come.”
The decision is expected to support 20,000 jobs in the F-35 programme in the UK, with 15 per cent of the global supply chain for the jets based in Britain.
Australia currently has a fleet of 72 F-35As that were purchased to replace the RAAF’s F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets that were in service from 1985 and retired in late 2021.
Australia only received the last of its fleet late last year, when nine new aircraft touched down at RAAF Base Williamtown between November and December.
The first pair arrived in Australia in December 2018, and the last set of deliveries were the first to receive the Technology Refresh-3 package, which includes additional munitions capabilities, target recognition and improved jamming capabilities.
Australia reportedly had an option to increase its F-35 fleet to 100, however the Labor federal government opted against the purchase to instead pledge to keep the RAAF’s Super Hornets flying until at least 2030, far beyond its initial retirement date of 2027.
Defence agreed to a five-year, $600 million deal with Boeing Defence Australia to upgrade and sustain the Super Hornet fleet, which also includes sister aircraft the Growler, to keep them active for longer.
