The UK has not yet made a decision on continuing to buy F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets

The Defence Air Procurement Committee met in the UK last week. As part of the event, Marshal Sir Richard Knighton provided an update on the supply of F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighters.

Here's What We Know

The marshal confirmed that the Royal British Air Force has received 30 aircraft in the F-35B modification, i.e. short take-off and vertical landing. By 2025, the number of fighters will increase to 48.

The UK does not plan to stop there. The Ministry of Defence and the government have pledged to increase the number of aircraft to 74. They will be delivered as part of the Tranche 2. Lockheed Martin will start delivering these fighters at the end of this decade. The process will drag on until the early 2030s.

Britain's original plan was to buy 148 F-35Bs. Committee members questioned the need to seek to acquire such a number of fighters.

Richard Knighton said 74 aircraft were sufficient to meet NATO's air policing commitment. A final decision on further F-35B purchases will be made in the middle of the next decade.

Source: UKDJ