The United Kingdom has recently marked a significant achievement in its military aviation program by receiving the final contracted F-35 fighter jet. This delivery represents the completion of an order for 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning combat aircraft.
Completion of the F-35 Program in the UK
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the last of the F-35B jets was accepted in late March 2026. This milestone comes after 14 years since the initial delivery of the first short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) model in July 2012.
Timeline of Deliveries
- July 2012: First F-35B jet delivered to the MoD in the US.
- June 2018: Arrival of the first F-35s at RAF Marham in England.
- March 2026: Final delivery of the last three contracted F-35 jets.
Operational Status and Future Plans
With this latest delivery, the UK now possesses 43 operational F-35Bs. Four jets are currently undergoing tests in the United States, while one aircraft was lost in an accident in 2021. The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) branch of the MoD expressed that these jets will enhance UK defense capabilities, particularly in operations from the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
Operational Squadrons
The UK’s F-35Bs are utilized by the following squadrons:
- RAF’s 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron
- Royal Navy’s 809 ‘Immortals’ Naval Air Squadron (NAS)
- 207 Squadron as the operational conversion unit (OCU) at RAF Marham
- 17 Squadron conducting US-based testing
Delays in Delivery Schedule
Originally, the completion date for the F-35 deliveries was set for 2025. However, setbacks in the wider international F-35 program, attributed to difficulties with the Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) update, led to delays extend delivery timelines.
This final delivery marks an important chapter in the UK’s military history, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining advanced air combat capabilities.
