The UK will allocate $11.7 billion to purchase 74 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters by 2032

The UK Ministry of Defense is determined to increase its fleet of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters.

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The United Kingdom announced a plan to buy 138 Lockheed Martin aircraft in 2006. Since then, however, the Air Force and Navy have received only 27 fighters. And one of them has been taken out of service because of an accident.

Despite the shortage of pilots, Britain intends to invest $11.7 billion to buy F-35 Lighting II during the next 10 years. The fleet of aircraft will be almost quadrupled. To the current 26 fighters Britain will buy 74 more aircraft until 2032, including 48 units in three years.

The F-35 program is very important for the U.K. Department of Defense because it allows it to strengthen ties with the U.S., providing a significant revenue stream for U.S. companies. In addition, British manufacturers get their piece of the pie, as 15% of the components for the fifth-generation fighters are made in the UK.

Source: Global Data

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