Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the Government's plan to procure nuclear-certified F-35A aircraft and provide details on in-service dates, refuelling capabilities, and impact on other procurement plans?
House of Commons · Urgent Question
Nuclear-certified Aircraft Procurement 2025-06-25
25 June 2025 · 31 other contributors
Opened by James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
James Cartlidge raised concerns about nuclear-certified aircraft procurement 2025-06-25 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
- UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets to support NATO's nuclear mission
- Anticipated in-service date for F-35As is before the end of the decade
- F-35As will be air-to-air refuelled through NATO's capabilities
How the debate unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Other contributors (31)
-
Question
What is the anticipated in-service date for the 12 F-35As? Will they already be nuclear certified upon delivery?
Minister reply
The aircraft will start delivering before the end of the decade, and they will be nuclear certified.
-
Question
Can additional detail on how some challenges with basing and complementary capabilities may be addressed?
Minister reply
This Government have increased defence spending by over 2.4% since the end of the cold war, fully funded unlike previous plans.
-
Question
What are the proposed use cases for F-35As? What is their relation to the existing strong deterrent through Trident?
Minister reply
This decision does not preclude any support for Typhoon. We are committed to upgrading them as per our existing plans.
-
Question
Will the Government still procure the Typhoon aircraft for the RAF? Is there an opportunity to urge NATO partners to procure the Typhoon Eurofighter?
Minister reply
We are committed to our Typhoons, and we have future combat air system and global combat air programme that will use skills in the longer term.
-
Question
May I ask about autonomy and national sovereignty over the weapons system deployed from this aircraft? Is it dual key?
Minister reply
Under NATO governance arrangement, the UK will always retain the right to decide whether or not to participate.
-
Question
How will this decision support jobs across the UK, particularly in North East Derbyshire?
Minister reply
The procurement of F-35As and next tranche of F-35Bs will support 20,000 jobs across the UK with over 100 UK-based suppliers contributing.
-
Question
Is this a stepping stone to a fully sovereign UK capability?
Minister reply
This decision is about joining the NATO nuclear mission, and any deployment requires agreement of 31 allies in the NATO nuclear planning group.
-
Question
What is the current status of our F-35A procurement programme? Where do we stand in relation to delivery timelines and orders from other countries?
Minister reply
We aim to start receiving deliveries before the end of this decade. The manufacturing capability has queues, but contractual discussions are underway to expedite the process. We will keep the House informed about our progress.
-
Question
Does the Minister agree that this decision is a powerful statement about the strength of the special relationship between the US and UK, as well as the growing strength of NATO?
Minister reply
I fully agree with both points. The decision highlights the strength of our alliance with the US and the strengthening of NATO.
-
Question
Why is the F-35 being considered over Tempest, despite delivery timelines for Tempest being earlier? Also, does the Minister agree with the decision to be part of the nuclear sharing enterprise?
Minister reply
We have committed to purchasing 138 F-35s in the next tranche and substituted 12 F-35As for what would have been 12 F-35Bs, following recommendations from the strategic defence review. The decision has received broad support around the House.
-
Question
Will this announcement lead to a significant increase in jobs and opportunities, including apprenticeships for local people across my area and the country?
Minister reply
Yes. There will be an estimated £3.2 billion investment in the next procurement tranche, which includes 12 F-35A models, leading to job creation and economic benefits.
-
Question
Does this decision reassert the commitment of the United States to the defence of other NATO countries?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman is correct that the decision does all those things, and he has made a very good point.
-
Question
How will this new capability support not only the UK but also our NATO allies?
Minister reply
Rejoining the NATO nuclear mission strengthens NATO, and it is a cheaper option compared to the F-35Bs. It provides growth potential and economic benefit from the spending that we put into our armed forces and capabilities.
-
Question
What impact will extending nuclear capability with these airdrop weapons have on the budget for the rest of our conventional armed forces?
Minister reply
The F-35As are actually cheaper than the F-35Bs, and replacing 12 F-35B orders with 12 F-35A orders is a cost-effective option. The total procurement tranche will be estimated at £3.2 billion.
-
Question
Does the Minister agree that this demonstrates our national security and economic security go hand in hand, and that this Government will deliver on both fronts?
Minister reply
I commend my hon. Friend's Royal British Legion branches for their work during Armed Forces Week. This commitment strengthens NATO and supports 20,000 jobs across the UK.
-
Question
Does the Minister confirm that funding for UN peacekeeping missions qualifies as defence spending to NATO?
Minister reply
Defence spending is there to create peace, not fight wars. Our commitment to 2.6% by 2027 and 3% in the next Parliament shows a strong commitment across NATO.
-
Question
How will this announcement benefit my region, ensuring that all investment, jobs and growth opportunities are spread to each part of the UK?
Minister reply
These procurements spread prosperity around all regions and nations of the UK. I cannot specify if companies in his constituency are involved but these initiatives provide jobs across the country.
-
Question
Has any thought been given to training our pilots before delivery either on a simulator or by embedding them into a unit that operates these planes around the world?
Minister reply
Anything that can bring in-service dates forward slightly by planning and training in advance is something we will be in favour of trying to do.
-
Question
In an increasingly unstable world, can the Minister tell us whether tactical nuclear weapons will be stored on UK soil and what safety and security measures the Government will undertake for their storage?
Minister reply
We do not normally confirm or deny where nuclear weapons might be stored. It is not something that we have ever done.
-
Question
Have any alternative platforms been considered for the potential delivery of a tactical nuclear weapon, such as the Astute class attack submarine?
Minister reply
We are not seeking to widen our range of nuclear capability. We are joining the NATO nuclear mission and contributing to that.
-
Question
How can the Minister justify this decision given that it ties us further into a US military that cannot secure its own classified intelligence?
Minister reply
First, what I have announced today is compliant with the non-proliferation treaty.
-
Question
When will we see an order for 25 Typhoon jets for the RAF to maintain employment at Warton?
Minister reply
The previous Government were not committed to buying Typhoons, so I do not see why the hon. Gentleman should be outraged by the fact that after less than a year, we have not yet ordered any more Typhoons.
-
Question
Can the Minister confirm the anticipated in-service date for the F-35As?
Minister reply
We are hopeful that we will get the aircraft as soon as possible and be able to use them as soon as possible thereafter, subject to all the usual requirements to get something in service.
-
Question
How can it be compliant with the NPT when this announcement increases nuclear capability?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman is wrong, I am afraid. It is in compliance with the non-proliferation treaty.
-
Question
Will this be a substitute for any of our other NATO allies withdrawing aircraft from service?
Minister reply
We are adding some of our capability to the NATO nuclear mission by purchasing these weapons, which has been welcomed by our allies and by the NATO Secretary-General.
-
Question
Can the Minister clarify whether the purchase of 12 F-35As is in addition to or part of the current F-35 purchase envelope?
Minister reply
For clarity, I did not say that this order was in addition to our already committed tranche of F-35s. I said that we were substituting what would have been 12 F-35Bs with 12 F-35As.
-
Question
Can the Minister confirm whether these aircraft will be budgeted from the ringfenced Defence Nuclear Enterprise budget?
Minister reply
The ringfenced Defence Nuclear Enterprise budget is not for purchasing aircraft; it is for dealing with our submarines.
-
Question
What can the Minister do to enhance recruitment in the Royal Navy, particularly given that it has regularly failed to meet targets?
Minister reply
Part of our commitment to defence reform is to try to improve our procurement and acquisition to ensure that we meet our contract aspirations more quickly.
-
Question
Can the Minister give a cast-iron reassurance that our continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent will be supported and maintained by His Majesty’s Government, with no reduction in the submarine fleet from four to three submarines?
Minister reply
We support maintaining our continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.
-
Question
Recently, we visited Marham, the current home of the F-35s. Can the Minister update us on what steps have been taken to remove the risk of attack on centralised basing, and to continue to invest in alternative dispersal bases for our aircraft? While these additional frames are welcome, will the Minister confirm that they are being matched by concurrent investment in the training of pilots and additional crews in the advanced skillsets that will be required for these operations?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is correct that one cannot just buy aircraft and not train the relevant people—whether they be pilots, engineers or ground crew—to deal with the necessity of looking after them and operating them. On the matter of security, my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces made a statement the day before yesterday about the review that is being conducted into the security of our bases, and I hope that that will be reported in due course.
Government Response
The UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets to join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission. This decision strengthens national security, supports 20,000 jobs in the United Kingdom with 15% of global supply chain based here, and fulfills two recommendations from the strategic defence review. The anticipated in-service date is before the end of the decade. F-35As will be air-to-air refuelled through NATO's capabilities. The remaining F-35Bs will still be ordered as planned.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy