AFP, London :
Britain on Monday announced it had signed a contract with US manufacturer Lockheed Martin to buy the first of 14 F-35B combat jets.
The four Lightning II stealth combat aircraft will operate from both of the Royal Navy’s forthcoming new aircraft carriers and from Royal Air Force land bases, with another 10 due to be ordered over the next five years.
The first batch is expected to be delivered in 2016 and will take up station in 2018.
“The investment we are making in the F-35 aircraft will ensure we are securing the skies for decades to come, providing the UK with the latest stealth technology and multi-role aircraft capability,” said Philip Dunne, minister for defence equipment support and technology.
Britain on Monday announced it had signed a contract with US manufacturer Lockheed Martin to buy the first of 14 F-35B combat jets.
The four Lightning II stealth combat aircraft will operate from both of the Royal Navy’s forthcoming new aircraft carriers and from Royal Air Force land bases, with another 10 due to be ordered over the next five years.
The first batch is expected to be delivered in 2016 and will take up station in 2018.
“The investment we are making in the F-35 aircraft will ensure we are securing the skies for decades to come, providing the UK with the latest stealth technology and multi-role aircraft capability,” said Philip Dunne, minister for defence equipment support and technology.
