The UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft nuclear mission under a deal supported by the DE&S Lightning II Delivery Team.

The decision will support 20,000 jobs in the F-35 programme in the UK, with 15% 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 the stealth fighter jets.

The new fast jets will be based at RAF Marham, and the Government is expected to procure 138 F-35s in total over the lifetime of the programme. The procurement of 12 F-35A rather than 12 F-35B as part of the next procurement package will deliver a saving of up to 25% per aircraft for the taxpayer.

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 at the end of the Cold War.

Director Fixed Wing, Keith Bethell, said: “This announcement follows a significant period of engagement between the DE&S Lightning II Delivery Team and a wide variety of stakeholders across the UK Government and our international partners.

“This procurement of F-35A, which expands the role of the RAF to include the NATO nuclear mission once again, will also help to optimise the F-35 pilot training pipeline. It is a tangible demonstration of the SDR commitment to develop the future Combat Air force mix across the spectrum of capabilities required to keep this country safe.”

The commitment to buy the aircraft comes after the Strategic Defence Review recognised that the UK is confronting a new era of threat, including rising nuclear risks. It recommended that the UK further strengthen our commitment to effective deterrence and our partnership with our NATO Allies, building on our unique role as the only European power to pledge our nuclear deterrent to defend our NATO allies.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “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. 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.”