No more F35 for UK?

[markymash]

News today hints that the UK may not take up the options for more aircraft after the first 49, opting instead for a cheaper European aircraft namely the Eurofighter !
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics ... -aircrafts

[Snoop 95]

"Aircrafts"! Heavens to betsy don't they bother about journalists with a sound knowledge of the English language at the Express? The plural of aircraft is aircraft, or it was when I left school in the last century!

[Tally-ho]

"Aircrafts" ... it also says much about the Express's journalistic content.

[Agent K]

If I was looking for informed aviation and defence news, the Express wouldn't be my first (or even last) point of call....

[Sparts99]

Orders like this always get cut back. This is politicing (if there's such a word?), warning shot to the US to say we have alternatives unless costs are looked at, or just normal due dilligence to look into alternatives to sense check our tax pounds are being spent most effectively. But the cost per airframe of supporting 49 rather than say 100 or more will make the F-35 even more expensive for us, especially as we'll have two carriers (won't we?). And it's the Express.

[TonyO]

Its ripped off from the Telegraph...and badly...and even the Telegraph's version seems confused. I'd wait until the new defence review and the Combat Air Strategy is published, but needless to say, things are going to be very difficult after Brexit.

[filmman]

A warning of what's to (not) come is the Recent Ministerial comment that our "carrier" will be part of a fleet of other nations ships. In other words the carrier has sucked up so much of the Navy budget/sailors that the only way was to reduuce other surface ships, frigates and destroyers. Unfortunately we are where we are and the politicians are stuck with the "Gordon Brown (Bennett) job creation carriers that really should be scrapped along with the limited VTOL F35s. Long term the RAF is the winner because it's now cheaper, more flexible, robust and survivable to use land based aircraft, with tankers in the North Atlantic, Artic and Mediterranean. If we operate outside that area it's only feasible in support of countries who will have to provide airfields if they really want us.
Filmman

[Thunder]

Isn’t this more to do with any further F-35 orders being for the more capable F-35A, which has been on the cards for a few years now. 49 a/c to serve the carriers in two squadrons and an OCU with the rest land based.

[gamecock]

opting instead for a cheaper European aircraft namely the Eurofighter

From a purely selfish point of view, I hope so!

[scottoz8]

News today hints that the UK may not take up the options for more aircraft after the first 49, opting instead for a cheaper European aircraft namely the Eurofighter !
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics ... -aircrafts

HM Gov might want to go for Typhoon's as the RAF order is nearly complete, and correct me if I am wrong most of the foreign orders will be built in Europe !

[raameagle]

If you’re referring to F-35 being built in Europe, only the Italian and Dutch Jets will be built at Cameri, the rest will be built in the USA (apart from the Japs who are building their own)
Regards
Mark

[Vulcanone]

If scottoz8 was talking about export Typhoon orders? The Kuwaiti AF Jets are coming off the Italian production line.

Qatar, and another potential Saudi order (if its not already in the bag??) will be out of Warton

[the concerned]

We all know how long it takes to put pen to paper with regards to ordering military equipment. So I was wondering is the typhoon cheaper the chances are no