RAF jets a ‘disappointing return' on £11 billion cost as programme plagued by delays
Despite the National Audit Office hailing the F-35, used by the RAF and on Royal Navy carriers, as "significantly superior" to all previous UK aircraft, the £11 billion already spent on the project represents a "disappointing return" when measured against the Ministry of Defence's initial ambitions.
While the F-35 is primarily a US endeavour, approximately 15 per cent of each aircraft's value is manufactured in the UK, securing an estimated £22 billion in contracts for British companies.
The report said that 'due to failings of both the MoD and the global programme, the level of overall UK F-35 capability is currently lower than the MoD intended it would be by now at the time of its 2013 business case, and will be for several years'.
The NAO said: 'In our view, the capability achieved for the estimated £11 billion spent to date is a disappointing return so far compared with MoD plans, even if other programme benefits have been significant'.
As of June 2025, the UK had 37 F-35B aircraft in service out of an eventual planned total of 138, with the jets expected to remain in service until 2069 at a £71 billion whole-life cost, according to NAO estimates.
But in 2024, the NAO said the 'mission capable rate' – the ability of an aircraft to perform at least one of its seven possible required missions – was approximately half the MoD's target.
The 'full mission capable rate' – an aircraft's ability to carry out all its required missions – was only around a third of the target.
The NAO said it was not disclosing the actual figures on national security grounds.
The MoD has not been able to sustainably deliver its targets for aircraft availability, resulting in flying hours below the requirement for pilots.
'The MoD's short-term affordability decisions and serious global programme delays have hindered the delivery of aircraft and other supporting capability', the report said.
There are 'major personnel shortages' across the F-35 force and 'serious gaps' in engineering roles.
The report said delivery of the first phase of 48 aircraft, due by the end of April 2026, was behind schedule partly for financial reasons and partly because of global programme delays.
The UK operates the F-35B variant of the jet which can fly from the two Royal Navy aircraft carriers, but it has set out plans to order 12 F-35As which can carry nuclear weapons but cannot operate from the warships.
An MoD spokesman said: 'The National Audit Office 's report rightly recognises the world-class capabilities of the F-35 fighter jet, as well as its significant economic benefits – including £22 billion of work for UK companies, creating thousands of jobs.
'The programme continues to operate within its approved budget and the UK will have two full squadrons of F-35 fighter jets ready for deployment by the end of this year.
'We also recently announced we will purchase 12 F-35As, supporting 20,000 jobs in the UK, and join Nato's dual capable aircraft nuclear mission.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Financially stricken former EFL side are SAVED from going bust - as takeover is approved by governing body
The National League has approved the takeover of turmoiled Morecambe, with the Shrimps cleared to start their season next weekend should the sale go through. A group known as Panjab Warriors struck a deal to save the beleaguered Lancashire club, which was relegated from League Two last season. Amid grave concerns over their existence, Morecambe had their first three matches postponed thanks to an inability to meet financial obligations. However, National League officials say they have now given the green light to the takeover and that their suspension of the club will be lifted upon receipt of the sale and purchase agreement. A transfer embargo will remain in place until HMRC and other creditors including staff and players have been paid. The statement added: 'It is the intention for Morecambe's first National League game to be on Saturday 23rd August at home v Altrincham FC. 'The National League would like to welcome the new owners and to thank everybody involved in helping to secure the future of the Club and reaching this point.' An ongoing saga dominated the summer included Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy writing to Morecambe's controversial owner Jason Whittingham, to urge him to sell. In July it appeared there had been a breakthrough for the 105-year-old club, when Whittingham said he agreed terms with Panjab Warriors, although the takeover failed to materialise. Both sides subsequently agreed to a mediation session last week. Morecambe had ceased operations in late July, following their suspension by the National League.
BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sally Rooney says she will support Palestine Action despite ban
Author Sally Rooney says she will continue to support Palestine Action, despite the group being proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the award-winning Irish novelist said she intends to use the earnings of her work and her public platform to "go on supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide".Writing in the Irish Times, she said "if this makes me a supporter of terror under UK law, so be it".Her remarks come as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper again defended the proscription of Palestine Action, saying it is more than "a regular protest group known for occasional stunts". Palestine Action is a British pro-Palestinian direct action group that was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the government in activities have predominantly targeted arms companies since the start of the current war in Gaza. After mass arrests, what happens next with Palestine Action ban?Palestine Action can challenge UK ban, court rulesBring sick and injured children to UK from Gaza immediately, MPs say Rooney, who wrote bestsellers including Normal People and Intermezzo, has previously been a vocal backer of the protest group, writing in the Guardian in June that proscribing them would be an "alarming attack on free speech".She was speaking after some of its members broke into RAF Brize Norton and sprayed two planes with red paint, causing damages worth £ in 2021, she refused to allow Beautiful World, Where Are You to be translated into Hebrew in a move to boycott Israel over its policies towards her latest Irish Times opinion piece, she said she will continue to use the proceeds of her work - including residuals from a BBC co-production of Normal People and Conversations with Friends - to keep supporting the than 700 people have been arrested since the group was banned by the government on 5 July - including more than 500 at a demonstration in central London last writing in the Observer on Sunday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said while many were aware of the Brize Norton incident, fewer would be aware of other incidents for which the group had claimed example, in August 2024 alleged Palestine Action supporters broke into Elbit Systems UK in Bristol, an Israeli defence firm that has long been a key allegations are due to come to trial in November. Eighteen people deny charges including criminal damage, assault causing actual bodily harm, violent disorder and aggravated has also referenced a so-called "Underground Manual" from the group, which she said "provides practical guidance on how to identify targets to attack and how to evade law enforcement"."These are not the actions of a legitimate protest group," Cooper also said she had received "disturbing information" which "covered ideas and planning for future attacks".Rooney - who lives in the west of Ireland - wrote: "The present UK government has willingly stripped its own citizens of basic rights and freedoms, including the right to express and read dissenting opinions, in order to protect its relationship with Israel."She said "the ramifications for cultural and intellectual life in the UK... are and will be profound".The BBC and Rooney's management have been contacted for comment. Israel has long rejected accusations of genocide, but leading Israeli and global human rights organisations have argued that the country's conduct in the war in Gaza constitutes genocide against the Palestinian war was triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken offensive has since killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, which the UN considers reliable.
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Police chiefs say shops should have 'greeters' to put off shoplifters, but hit out at lack of jail time for repeat offenders
Shopkeepers should deploy 'greeters' to say hello to customers to deter shoplifting, a police force has said. Lancashire Constabulary issued the advice to business owners amid a surge in thefts, with nearly three a minute reported in England and Wales. The guidance comes as the total thefts reached 530,643 in the year to March, at an estimated cost of £1.8bn to retailers. And a policing chief has said there is little deterrent for thieves because they are so often freed by courts to steal again. Katy Bourne, the national lead for shoplifting at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: 'People have got to know that they're going to get caught and that there's a meaningful deterrent when they do it. There is no point arresting shoplifters if there is no effective deterrent.' Lancashire Police launched Operation Vulture last year, which encouraged businesses to use 'customer greeters' to cut down on crime. In an online guide called How to Deter a Shoplifter, the force advised: 'By greeting genuine shoppers, not only does this provide a positive impression of your store, it also deters potential shoplifters. 'An offender is less likely to shoplift if they sense that they are to be seen and noticed by staff.' The force also advised shopworkers to offer assistance to customers who were acting suspiciously, and install warning signs reminding thieves that they would be reported to police. 'A shoplifter is not always creeping round like in the movies,' the force said in separate guidance. 'They can sometimes be trying to keep a low profile, and avoiding attention. They might look anxious or flushed, looking around the shop constantly to see if they are being watched.' The guidance added: 'Their clothing might also give them away. For example, if they are wearing heavy, baggy clothing in warm weather this might indicate they are using this baggy clothing to hide stolen items. If the person has a large bag, this might also be an indication.' Workers who witnessed anyone taking goods without paying for them should ask them to replace the items in a 'calm and neutral tone,' the guidance states. 'Always be sure they've taken something before you speak to them – and only if you feel it's safe to do so,' it added. The force also acknowledged that tough economic factors meant that 'for some residents in Lancashire, stealing may feel like their only choice.' Highlighting a cost of living guide made by the local council, the guidance continues: 'All offenders will be dealt with appropriately and while tackling crime we must also address the underlying problems which may lead to these negative behaviours.' Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has warned shopkeepers not to display products such as bottles of alcohol at the front of stores because they will be targeted by thieves. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'That is an issue in some stores, that they put bottles of alcohol at the front of the store which obviously people will nick. If they are going to steal to resell, they will nick items like that.' She also rejected the notion that the public had a duty to tackle shoplifters rather than rely on police, which was put forward last week by Conservative police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber. Meanwhile, the Government is developing a 'Minority Report-style' AI system to predict crime before it happens. Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle announced the system will use real-time data to create an interactive crime map of England and Wales to detect, track and predict where crime will occur. The £4million project is expected to go live by 2030.
