The United Kingdom has taken delivery of the final F-35B Lightning II from its initial 48-aircraft order, marking the completion of the programme’s first acquisition phase.
In practice, the fleet stands at 47 aircraft, following the loss of one airframe during a 2021 incident involving the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The aircraft are jointly operated by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, primarily through 617 Squadron based at RAF Marham. This joint model underpins both land-based and carrier operations.
Recent deliveries have been made in the F-35’s Technical Refresh 3 (TR-3) configuration, which has yet to achieve full operational certification, leaving part of the fleet not fully cleared for combat use.
Operationally, the aircraft are already in active use. A contingent is currently deployed to RAF Akrotiri, where they have been involved in defensive missions across the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. These include air defence tasks over Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates amid heightened regional tensions.
Beyond this milestone, the next phase of the programme remains undefined. The UK’s long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is expected to clarify future procurement.
Current planning, however, indicates a shift. The next tranche—originally expected to consist of 27 additional F-35Bs—is being revised to include a mixed fleet, with 12 F-35A Lightning II for the RAF. These aircraft are intended to restore the UK’s nuclear delivery capability within NATO frameworks.
While the UK maintains a long-term requirement for up to 138 aircraft, no clear timeline or firm commitment exists for reaching that figure. The programme has therefore entered a transition phase, with key structural decisions still pending.
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