UK Defence Select Committee
UK MOD told to consider advantages of operating mixed F-35A/B fleet
The UK parliament’s Defence Select Committee was told that the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review set out plans for the UK to buy 138 F-35B Lightning IIs. As of May 1, 2023, the UK had taken delivered of 31 F-35Bs, with a total of 48 due to be delivered by the end of 2025 as part of an initial Tranche 1 order
RAF fast-jet training problems branded ‘farcical’ by new report
An engine fault on the RAF’s Hawk T2 advanced jet trainers has caused substantial delays in fast-jet pilot training and has cost the UK MOD more than £50m, a report by an influential group of British MPs has found
UK MOD told to reverse cut in E-7A Wedgetail fleet size by British MPs
The decision by the UK MOD to cut its E-7A Wedgetail AEW1 fleet from five aircraft to three is “perverse” and must be reversed, the findings of an aviation procurement investigation has said
RAF urged to mothball Tranche 1 Typhoons instead of scrapping them
The RAF’s Tranche 1 Typhoon FGR4 fighters should be mothballed rather than scrapped, an influential group of British MPs have concluded in a new investigative report
UK MOD slammed for creating capability gap after axing RAF C-130J fleet
The decision to retire the RAF’s fleet of C-130J Hercules C4/C5 tactical transports earlier than originally planned has left a capability gap in air mobility tasks and special forces operations, a report by an influential group of British MPs has found
UK airpower in crisis amid growing threat of war, MPs say
The state of UK airpower and its inability to counter the growing threat of war has been laid bare in a damning report by an influential group of British MPs
UK MOD criticised over E-7A Wedgetail procurement in damning new report
The UK's decision to cut its order for Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW1 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from five examples to three has been described as an "absolute folly" in a damning new report by an influential group of MPs
F-35B delays may leave RAF with just one deployable combat air squadron
Delays in confirming future orders of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)-capable Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter could leave the RAF only able to field a single squadron for combat air operations, British MPs have been warned
Cost of UK's final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning IIs to increase
The price of the final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters to be acquired by the UK is set to rise by 6%, the Ministry of Defence has revealed
UK Lightning Force struck by maintenance crew shortage
The introduction of the UK’s Lightning Force is being held back due to a lack of trained ground crew personnel; a British government minister has revealed