Just days after confirming the acquisition of a dozen nuclear-capable F-35A stealth fighters, UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced that the Royal Air Force (RAF) is expected to begin receiving the first units by the end of the current decade. Specifically, the Minister noted that the newly acquired F-35A variant will complement a previous order of F-35Bs—carrier-capable fighters—of which up to 15 additional units were expected.
Elaborating further during a hearing before the UK Parliament’s Defence Committee, Secretary Healey stated that although the decision to purchase the new F-35As had been finalized, the total number of aircraft to be procured remains unchanged at the previously planned 138 units. He also pointed out that, unlike the F-35B—which is capable of operating from Royal Navy carriers and is flown by both the RAF and Royal Navy—the F-35A cannot be deployed from aircraft carriers. However, it offers advantages such as greater weapons capacity (notably including the American B61 nuclear bombs) and a lower unit cost.
It is worth noting that the decision to acquire 12 new F-35As stems from the UK’s most recent Strategic Defence Review and is considered a key step in restoring the nation’s ability to conduct nuclear air strikes—a capability lost in 1998 with the retirement of the RAF’s WE.177 bombs. According to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, this move is a coherent response to the current international security environment. In his words: “The threat we face is more serious than at any time since the Cold War. Equipping the RAF with F-35As demonstrates our strong commitment to NATO and further deters those who would seek to harm the UK and our allies.”
Lastly, regarding the potential basing of these new aircraft, British analysts have identified two leading candidates: RAF Marham and RAF Lakenheath. Both sites possess former nuclear storage facilities capable of housing the aforementioned B61 bombs if properly upgraded. In the case of RAF Lakenheath, such modernization efforts are already underway, supported by funding from Washington.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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