UK's 48th F-35B arrives at RAF Marham with first Lightning order now completed

The UK’s 48th F-35B has arrived at RAF Marham, completing the first procurement phase of the Lightning programme.

The aircraft, serial number BK48, touched down at the Norfolk base after leaving Lockheed Martin's production line in Fort Worth, Texas, alongside BK46 and BK47.

The three jets crossed the Atlantic with support from a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker from RAF Brize Norton.

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The delivery completes the UK's initial order of 48 F-35Bs, the short take-off and vertical landing variant operated by the RAF and Royal Navy.

The fleet now stands at 47 aircraft after BK18, an F-35B from 617 Squadron, was lost while operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021.

The F-35B Lightning can operate from land or from the Royal Navy's two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

Its short take-off and vertical landing design allows it to fly from HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, giving the UK a carrier-based fast jet capability for the first time since the retirement of the Harrier.

The aircraft is also built around stealth and secure data links, allowing pilots to gather and share information with other aircraft, ships and ground forces.

617 Squadron reformed as the UK's first frontline Lightning squadron in 2018, followed by 207 Squadron as the F-35B Operational Conversion Unit in 2019. 

809 Naval Air Squadron was recommissioned at RAF Marham in December 2023 as the UK's second frontline F-35B squadron.

The Government's stated long-term commitment is to procure 138 F-35 Lightning aircraft across the life of the programme.

The next package includes 12 F-35As, the conventional take-off and landing variant, as the UK joins Nato's dual-capable aircraft nuclear mission.

Those aircraft, which are certified to carry tactical nuclear weapons, are also due to be based at RAF Marham.

That means the UK has now received 48 F-35Bs, has announced plans for 12 F-35As, and still has further decisions to make if it is to reach the stated total of 138 aircraft.

Ministers have not set out a full timetable for reaching 138, nor confirmed the final mix between F-35A and F-35B aircraft.