F-35A: What capability does the new jet offer the RAF compared with the B?
The UK will be purchasing 12 F-35A jets for the Royal Air Force as part of the Government's plans to boost the military’s air power.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says these cutting-edge aircraft will herald a new era for the RAF.
The F-35A is the world’s only fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter.
The supersonic jet has 40,000lb of thrust and is highly agile with 9G manoeuvrability as well as a range of 2,200 kilometres.
But it is the F-35A's ability to carry airborne tactical nuclear bombs as well as conventional weapons that make them so deadly.
It is thought the RAF's jets will carry the B61 weapons used by the US military.
This will give the UK the ability to launch airborne nuclear assets for the first time since the 1990s when the WE.177 was retired.
Since then, the Royal Navy's Trident submarine fleet has been the UIK's sole nuclear capability.
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin claims the F35 "redefines the multirole fighter".
It said: "The F-35 is designed to be a key net-enabling node in a system of systems – an information-gatherer and transmitter in a vast network.
"Its tremendous processing power, open architecture, powerful sensors, information fusion and flexible communications links will make the F-35 an indispensable tool in future homeland defence, joint/coalition irregular warfare and major combat operations."
The idea of the UK regaining an air-launched nuclear weapons capability was raised in the recent Strategic Defence Review.
The document said more F-35 aircraft would be needed by the Royal Air Force - and General Sir Richard Barrons, the lead military author of the SDR, pointed out at the time that the A variant could carry such weapons.
When asked about the prospect of the military looking to have an air-launch capability Gen Sir Richard told BFBS Forces News: "It is something that is going to be discussed.
"So if the Ministry of Defence buys the F-35A model, which we think is a good idea, then the A model can be dual-capable.
"It can do a conventional role and it can also carry the American free-fall nuclear munition.
"And a number of Nato nations already do this."
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