UK plans acquisition of 12 F-35A fighter jets from US

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UK plans acquisition of 12 F-35A fighter jets from US

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F-35A fighter | Wikipedia

By Sky Industry News

Jun 28, 2025

The United Kingdom has announced plans to acquire 12 F-35A fighter jets from the United States, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons. This development follows the recent NATO summit in the Netherlands and marks a significant enhancement of the UK's defense capabilities.

The acquisition is part of the UK's strategy to join NATO's dual-capable aircraft nuclear mission, which aims to strengthen national security. The government describes this move as "the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation, complementing the UK’s existing sea-borne deterrent."

According to the latest Strategic Defense Review, the UK faces an era of heightened threats with an increased risk of nuclear confrontation. As a response, acquiring these F-35A jets reaffirms Britain's commitment to NATO. The new jets will be stationed at RAF Marham, aligning with the UK's long-term plan to purchase 138 F-35s. The decision to opt for the F-35A models over the more costly F-35B variant is expected to cut costs by up to 25% per aircraft.

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Currently, the UK fleet includes about 36 F-35s. Alongside this purchase, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to meet NATO's target of allocating 5% of GDP to national security by 2035. Starmer stated: "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."

Historically, since 1969, the Royal Navy has maintained a continuous at-sea deterrent with its Vanguard-class submarines. However, this acquisition signifies a shift towards expanding nuclear capabilities beyond maritime means. Downing Street commented that it "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."

NATO’s nuclear deterrence strategy relies on dual-capability fighter jets like these F-35s and forward-deployed US nuclear weapons in Europe. Other nations using such jets include Germany, Belgium, Italy, and others.

Moreover, this order supports around 20,000 jobs within the UK aerospace sector. Since its inception in 2012, more than 100 UK-based companies have contributed to supplying parts for these jets.