Every F-35 Brings Value to the UK Economy
Every time an F-35 takes flight anywhere in the world, the UK is part of the mission. As one of the original partners in the F-35 Lightning II programme, the UK plays a vital role in delivering the world’s most advanced fighter jet.
And while the F-35 Lightning II now provides game-changing 5th Generation capability to the UK Armed Forces, our legacy was forged more than eight decades ago when RAF pilots took to the skies in the Lockheed Hudson and Martin Marauder.
More than 100 Tier 1 British suppliers contribute to every F-35 produced, including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Martin Baker, which provide key components. The F-35 brings 5th Generation expertise to the UK, sustaining more than 20,000+ jobs across every region of the UK at the programme’s peak in the 2030s. By 2046, the F-35 programme is projected to generate £45.2 billion in economic value for the UK.
Capability Today. Deterrence for the Future.
The F-35 provides the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy with 5th Generation capability to execute complex missions worldwide and deliver interoperability with NATO and allied forces.
In June 2025, the UK government announced its intent to procure F-35As as part of its program of record. Offering increased range and payload, the F-35A expands capability for the UK, strengthens support of critical NATO missions, and complements the existing F-35Bs already in service.
As the backbone of modern deterrence, the F-35 ensures the UK maintains a strategic advantage for decades to come.
F-35 FAQ
A. The F-35 is America’s most valuable and important defense program, bringing approximately $72 billion into the American economy each year.
The 1,650 suppliers across the F-35 program support 290,000+ U.S. jobs across 49 states and Puerto Rico, including an estimated 22,750 union jobs.
The F-35 workforce in America has grown 35% since 2019 – high-tech and manufacturing jobs essential to America’s defense industrial base.
A. For Production Lots 15 through 17, the average flyaway cost of an F-35A was $82.5 million; $109 million for an F-35B, and $102.1 million per F-35C.1
The F-35 team is working across government and industry for greater affordability. Lockheed Martin has significantly lowered our share of cost per flight hour over the last five years.2
Program Milestones
