UK to buy F-35As that can't be refueled from RAF tankers

Summary

The UK government is to buy 12 F-35A fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons as part of the NATO deterrent, but there's a snag: the new jets are incompatible with the RAF's refueling tanker aircraft. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the move at a NATO summit today, which will see the government buy "at least a dozen" of the dual-capable aircraft, meaning they can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons. Currently, the UK has about 37 F-35B fighters, which are the version capable of short take-off and vertical landings (STOVL) in the manner of the retired Harrier. These are able to operate from the Royal Navy's pair of aircraft carriers, and form a joint force shared between the two services. The F-35A is a version designed for conventional take-off and landing from a runway, and is certified to carry the American B61 tactical nuclear bomb, which the F-35B is not. It can also carry more fuel than the F-35B, which has space taken up by an internal lift fan, giving it a longer range of 1,200 miles/2,200 km compared to 900 miles/1,667 km for the "B" model. The purchase reintroduces a nuclear role for the RAF, which during the Cold War was capable of deploying the British-designed WE 177 tactical nuke from the swing-wing Tornado jet – now also retired. "Tactical" refers to weapons intended for battlefield use. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the UK will deploy the new jets as part of NATO's nuclear Dual Capable Aircraft mission, strengthening the alliance's nuclear deterrent. "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," Starmer commented. The plans have already faced criticism, as the original strategy for Britain's F-35 fleet was that it would consist entirely of F-35B aircraft, so that any of them could ...