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The United Kingdom has confirmed it will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets to carry nuclear and conventional weapons.
The announcement follows a recent attendance by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the NATO summit earlier this week.
Under the plans, the UK will join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission in a bid to boost national security.
The new fast jets will be based at RAF Marham, with the government expected to procure 138 F-35s over the lifetime of the program.
The procurement of 12 F-35A, rather than 12 F-35B, as part of the next procurement package is expected to deliver a saving of up to 25 per cent per aircraft for the UK public.
The purchase represents the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation. It also reintroduces a nuclear role for the Royal Air Force for the first time since the UK retired its sovereign air-launched nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War, according to Starmer.
“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,” he said.
“Supporting 100 businesses across the country and more than 20,000 jobs, these F-35 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 program in the UK, with 15 per cent of the global supply chain for the jets based in Britain.
UK-based firms such as BAE Systems, Cobham, GE Aviation, Honeywell, Martin Baker, MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK, Ultra Electronics and EDM Limited all play a vital role in the supply of stealth fighter jets.
The UK will deploy the jets as part of NATO’s nuclear Dual Capable Aircraft mission.
“The UK has declared its nuclear deterrent to NATO for many decades, and I strongly welcome today’s announcement that the UK will now also join NATO’s nuclear mission and procure the F-35A,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
“This is yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”
This announcement follows the UK’s Strategic Defence Review commitments to deliver up to 12 new conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and £15 billion this Parliament to deliver the sovereign nuclear warhead program.
“The Strategic Defence Review confirmed we face new nuclear risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying their nuclear arsenals. And it recommended a new UK role in our collective defence and deterrence through a NATO-first approach,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
“This commitment is an embodiment of NATO first, strengthening the alliance while at the same time using defence as an engine for growth to create jobs across in the UK.”
