F-35 Shortfalls and Cost Overruns in UK Defense

Ministry of Defence did not provide operating costs, project remains early for NATO certification.
Delaying Air Signature Assessment Facility saved 82m but added 16m later.
Postponing Naval Air Squadron infrastructure increased costs from 56m to 154m.
Only 24 of 37 F-35s are deployable, need 20% more engineers.
Missing ground-strike missiles until 2030s.
Ministry of Defence will buy 15 F-35Bs and 12 F-35As for £3.2bn.
Infrastructure costs rose from £56m to £154m.
Ministry of Defence's appraisal lists £57bn through 2069, called 'unrealistic'.

Finance | Defense | UK Government

United Kingdom

6 days ago