UK to Buy 12 F-35A Jets for Training While Planning NATO Nuclear Role

Air Vice-Marshal Jim Beck, the Royal Air Force’s Director Capability and Programs, said on July 15 that the United Kingdom did not buy its 12 F-35A aircraft for their dual nuclear capability. The jets were purchased for the service’s conversion unit, he told the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference in London.

Beck added that the decision to re-enter NATO’s nuclear strike role supporting the alliance remained a separate function.

-owned B61-12 bombs. The Royal Air Force has assigned the 12 aircraft to 207 Squadron, the Operational Conversion Unit, for training. The service said the F-35A variant carries more fuel than the F-35B and requires fewer maintenance hours, allowing longer sorties and higher aircraft availability for student pilots.

The Ministry of Defense stated that operating the F-35A will produce a 25 percent savings per aircraft compared with the F-35B. The new aircraft will be based at RAF Marham in eastern England. The United Kingdom has so far received 48 F-35B aircraft and remains committed to buying 15 additional F-35Bs plus the 12 F-35As for delivery by 2033.

The Ministry of Defense expects to procure a total of 138 F-35 aircraft over the life of the program.