The UK has formally accepted its first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. (Lockheed Martin)
The UK has formally accepted the first international F-35 Joint Strike Fighter during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas headquarters.
The aircraft, an F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, will head to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where it will be used for pilot and crew training.
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The UK agreed more than 10 years ago to purchase well over 100 F-35Bs, but the mounting costs of the stealthy fighter program and growing pressure on defence budgets has raised questions about the commitment of the eight ‘partner nations’ in JSF program.
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During the acceptance ceremony, UK Secretary of State for Defence announced that the country planned to order a fourth F-35 next year in addition to the three already on order. Lockheed has finished production on the second UK aircraft, which is currently undergoing test flights.
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