UK considers backing out of US fighters deal
The Government is reconsidering a multibillion-pound deal to buy the latest US fighter jets in a row being likened to the Westland helicopters affair. Despite having purchased 48 F-35 aircraft at a cost of £9.1billion, the MOD is reconsidering its pledge to buy a further 90, and examining the much cheaper Eurofighter jets made by a consortium which includes the UK, The Daily Telegraph understands.
‘We are sceptical about the viability of all 138 aircraft. Unless the cost [comes] down, the F-35 will suck up funds’
THERESA MAY is under pressure to row back on a multibillion-pound deal to buy new generation US fighter jets in a row likened to the Westland affair.
The Government is committed to buying 138 F-35 fighter aircraft from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has so far bought 48 aircraft at a cost of £9.1billion but is now reconsidering its pledge to buy a further 90.
Instead it is looking at purchasing Eurofighter jets, made by a European consortium that includes the UK, The Daily Telegraph understands.
The European-manufactured jets are currently, on best estimates, about the half the price of an F-35.
Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, is publishing a defence review in July, which may cast doubt on the affordability of the further 90 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the most expensive but technically advanced fighter jet in history. He has also launched a Combat Aircraft Industrial Strategy, due in the summer, which is set to decide the balance of future spending on jet fighters – and whether the UK goes for a pre- dominantly European fighter, despite Brexit, or a Us-developed jet.
The simmering row has been likened to the Westland affair that blighted Margaret Thatcher’s government and forced the resignation of Michael Heseltine, the then defence secretary, who insisted the UK should pick the Britishmade helicopter over a US model.
The purchase of the extra F-35s is expected to be raised by Donald Trump when the US president meets Mrs May next month. But Mr Williamson is understood to favour a European option that would ensure the viability of a joint European jet fighter business until 2050 at least.
The Prime Minister will come under pressure to pick a side.
In the past week, Woody Johnson, the US ambassador, has briefed on the “amazing” US aircraft while pointing out that some components are manufactured in Britain by BAE Systems, providing thousands of jobs and an estimated £13 billion to the UK economy.
The MOD made the commitment to buy 138 F-35s in its Strategic Defence and Security review of 2015 but it is negotiating with the Joint Programme Office, the US department in charge of contracts, over the cost of the aircraft.
Mark Francois, a Conservative MP, former defence minister and member of the defence select committee, said: “We are sceptical about the viability of all 138 aircraft. Unless Lockheed Martin can bring the cost down, the F-35 will suck up funds for other programmes.”
Mr Williamson announced yesterday that the first batch of four F-35s will be delivered early by the US and will arrive next month. The stealth jets will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk but made available for duty on HMS Queen Elizabeth, the new aircraft carrier.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, jointly built by the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, is already in service with the RAF but will require a mid-life upgrade to compete with the F-35.
An MOD spokesman said it was too soon to speculate on the review, adding: “The F-35 programme remains on track and within budget, providing a game-changing capability for our Armed Forces. We continue to drive down costs and remain committed to purchasing 138 F-35 aircraft while British industry benefits from an order book of more than 3,000 jets.”