The United Kingdom has received its 40th F-35B Lightning fighter, marking an important milestone in the initial order of 48 units.
Currently, 18 of these aircraft are designated for operations onboard aircraft carriers, 17 are used for training in the country, and four are part of test and development programs in the United States. One aircraft had already been lost in an accident. Eight more units remain to be delivered by 2026.
The British government also announced the acquisition of 27 more fighters by 2033, with 12 of the F-35A version and 15 of the F-35B version, which will allow for the formation of a third frontline squadron.
Despite this change, London maintains its commitment to acquiring a total of 138 aircraft throughout the program, as outlined in its long-term plans. The decision to include the F-35A model, made prior to the release of the upcoming Defense Investment Plan, was attributed to geopolitical challenges.
The choice of part of the fleet in the A variant is expected to save around $240 million, as the model costs 20% less than the F-35B. However, the United Kingdom does not yet have its own air-to-air refueling capability for this version, which will require support from allies.
Despite these limitations, the Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed its confidence in meeting the delivery schedule and continuing the investments outlined in the upcoming Strategic Defence Review this fall.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @RoyalAirForce | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
40/48 F-35B on order delivered.
40:
18 – Carrier Deployment
17 – UK Training
4 – US Trials & Development Unit
1 – Lost https://t.co/XvXSUijVzq— Britsky (@TBrit90) August 19, 2025
