The UK will purchase 12 new F35A fighter jets and join NATO's
dual capable aircraft nuclear mission in a major boost for
national security.
The Prime Minister will announce at the NATO summit tomorrow
[Wednesday] that the UK intends to buy at least a dozen of the
dual capable aircraft, which can carry both nuclear and
conventional weapons.
The decision will support 20,000 jobs in the F35 programme in the
UK, with 15% of the global supply chain for the jets based in
Britain, supporting highly skilled jobs and opportunities for
working people and delivering a defence dividend across the
country.
The new fast jets will be based at RAF Marham, with the
Government expected to procure 138 F35s over the lifetime of the
programme. The procurement of 12 F-35A rather than 12 F-35B as
part of the next procurement package will deliver a saving of up
to 25% per aircraft for the taxpayer.
The purchase represents the biggest strengthening of the UK's
nuclear posture in a generation. It also reintroduces a nuclear
role for the Royal Air Force for the first time since the UK
retired its sovereign air-launched nuclear weapons following the
end of the Cold War.
The UK will deploy the jets as part of NATO's nuclear Dual
Capable Aircraft mission, strengthening NATO's nuclear deterrence
posture.
Prime Minister said:
“In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for
granted, which is why my government is investing in our national
security, ensuring our Armed Forces have the equipment they need
and communities up and down the country reap the benefits from
our defence dividend.
“Supporting 100 businesses across the country and more than
20,000 jobs, these F35 dual capable aircraft will herald a new
era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter hostile
threats that threaten the UK and our Allies.
“The UK's commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the
Alliance's contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure, but we
must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for
generations to come.”
From Samlesbury to Stevenage, UK based firms such as BAE Systems,
Cobham, GE Aviation, Honeywell, , MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls Royce,
Leonardo UK , Ultra Electronics and EDM Limited all play a vital
role in the supply of stealth fighter jets.
The Strategic Defence Review recognised that the UK is
confronting a new era of threat, including rising nuclear risks.
It recommended that the UK further strengthen our commitment to
effective deterrence and our partnership with our NATO Allies,
building on our unique role as the only European power to pledge
our nuclear deterrent to defend our NATO allies.
The DCA mission is a critical part of NATO's nuclear deterrence,
helping to keep people across the alliance safe.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said:
“The UK has declared its nuclear deterrent to NATO for many
decades, and I strongly welcome today's announcement that
the UK will now also join NATO's nuclear mission and procure the
F-35A.
“This is yet another robust British contribution to NATO”.
The UK has always supported NATO's nuclear mission, by providing
conventional capabilities and resources such as aircraft and
airspace to its annual exercises.
Defence Secretary MP said:
“The Strategic Defence Review confirmed we face new nuclear
risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying
their nuclear arsenals. And it recommended a new UK role in our
collective defence and deterrence through a NATO-first approach.
“This commitment is an embodiment of NATO first, strengthening
the alliance while at the same time using defence as an engine
for growth to create jobs across in the UK.”
Our commitment to Britain's nuclear deterrent is absolute,
underpinned by our ‘triple-lock': building four new nuclear
submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria; maintaining our
continuous at sea nuclear deterrent; and delivering all future
upgrades needed.
This announcement further underlines the UK's unshakeable
commitment to NATO, and the principle of collective defence under
Article V.
The UK remains committed to the goal of a world without nuclear
weapons and upholds all our obligations under the NPT.
This announcement follows the SDR's commitments to deliver up to
12 new conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and £15bn
this parliament to deliver the sovereign nuclear warhead
programme.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Alongside the strategic nuclear
forces of the Alliance, NATO's nuclear deterrence posture also
relies on the United States' nuclear weapons forward-deployed in
Europe, as well as on the capabilities and infrastructure
provided by Allies.
- A number of NATO countries
contribute a dual-capable aircraft (DCA) capability to the
Alliance. These aircraft are central to NATO's nuclear deterrence
mission and are available for nuclear roles at various levels of
readiness. In their nuclear role, the aircraft are equipped to
carry nuclear weapons in a conflict, and personnel are trained
accordingly.
