The first major contract for the F-35 version B outside the United States could be signed between Lockheed Martin and the British government for the acquisition of 138 aircraft.
Under the plan of Strategic Defense and Security Review, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy had asked the government to replace the entire Tornado GR4 Panavia line on the ground and to guarantee the future component embarked on the two aircraft carriers Queen Elizabeth.
The United Kingdom has already committed to the purchase of 48 F-35B with Full Operational Capability of the platforms (destined to the Queen Elizabeth) fixed to the 2023.
In the intentions, the new component embarked on the Prince of Wales Queen Elizabeth, "Will guarantee an offensive capacity on carriers second only to that of the United States".
Despite the intentions, London has so far allocated funds for the first 42 aircraft with entry into service set at 2023.
(photo: Lockheed Martin)
