The UK Department of Defense has announced a new contract with Lockheed Martin. The additional funding will enable the company to provide maintenance and support for its fleet of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters.

What is known

The aircraft are based at the air base of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain “Marham” (Marham) in Norfolk, East Anglia. A spokesman for the United Kingdom Department of Defense noted that the funding will allow the British F-35B fighters to remain ready for combat operations.

The American company Lockheed Martin became the main contractor, and the British BAE Systems became the subcontractor. The £161m investment will create 140 new jobs, including 130 at the East Anglia airbase.

The Defense Department added that the agreement gives the UK more freedom to operate fighter jets, increase flight hours and offer enhanced mission planning, training and maintenance capabilities. The previous contract expired in 2023. The new agreement will be valid until 2027.

The UK received the first F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing fighters in 2018. They replaced the Tornado GR4, which were retired in 2019 after 40 years in service.

Source: BBC