UK Buys 12 Units of Most Expensive Fighter Jet in the World

THE HAGUE- The UK government will purchase 12 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission in a major strategic shift.

The aircraft will be based at RAF Marham, signaling the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) return to a nuclear air role for the first time since the Cold War, boosting national security and defence employment.

F-35 Lightning II; Photo- Wikipedia

UK to Buy 12 F-35A Fighter Jets

The UK will acquire 12 F-35A Lightning II jets under a procurement plan designed to strengthen NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture.

Unlike the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B already in service, the F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing variant capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads, making it a cornerstone of NATO’s DCA mission.

The selection of the F-35A over the more expensive F-35B is expected to save up to 25% per aircraft, aligning national security objectives with fiscal responsibility. The aircraft will be deployed under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement, which relies on select member states to host U.S. nuclear weapons and deliver them in a conflict scenario.

This move is a historic shift in the UK’s defence policy, reintroducing a nuclear role for the Royal Air Force after nearly three decades. The UK previously retired its air-launched nuclear capabilities post-Cold War, relying instead on submarine-based deterrence.

The F-35 program already supports over 20,000 UK jobs, with around 15% of the global supply chain based in the country. Major British firms—such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, MBDA, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, Honeywell, and Leonardo UK—are integral to the aircraft’s production and maintenance, with facilities from Samlesbury to Stevenage playing a key role.

According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, this investment not only strengthens the UK’s defence readiness but also fuels industrial growth, contributing to a broader “defence dividend” across the country. Over 100 UK-based businesses stand to benefit from this procurement.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II; Photo- Wikipedia

Strategic Nuclear Deterrence Policy

The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) identified rising nuclear threats and the modernisation of adversary arsenals as key security challenges. It recommended stronger integration with NATO’s nuclear posture—a recommendation now being realized through this procurement.

Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that this is part of a “NATO-first approach,” reinforcing the UK’s strategic alignment with allied nuclear policies.

The UK’s nuclear deterrent strategy remains based on its “triple-lock” commitment: building four new Dreadnought-class submarines, maintaining a continuous at-sea deterrent, and ensuring future technological upgrades.

Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet; Photo: Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

NATO’s Endorsement

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the UK’s new role in the alliance’s nuclear deterrence strategy. He emphasized that Britain has long contributed to NATO’s nuclear mission via training, infrastructure, and participation in annual exercises, but the addition of F-35A deployments formalizes the UK’s operational nuclear capability within NATO.

The DCA mission remains central to NATO’s deterrence strategy, especially as tensions rise across the Euro-Atlantic area.

The UK’s participation ensures that Europe’s only nuclear-armed member actively supports both conventional and nuclear deterrence roles under Article V of the NATO treaty.

While reaffirming its role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework, the UK reiterated its commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and long-term goal of global nuclear disarmament.

The government maintains that credible deterrence and disarmament are not mutually exclusive, and that proactive defence measures remain essential amid global instability.

This announcement follows the UK’s decision to invest £15 billion in its sovereign nuclear warhead program and pursue up to 12 new conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

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