Aircraft
UK To Cut F-35s, Drop Nimrod and Sentinel
The UK is to cut its planned acquisition of the F-35 Joint by up to two-thirds, switch versions and delay introduction of the aircraft.

The UK is to cut its planned acquisition of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) by up to two-thirds, switch versions and delay introduction of the aircraft.

A Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) made public on October 19 also scrapped the RAF’s Harrier STOVL (short takeoff, vertical landing) combat jets and the Nimrod MRA.4 maritime patrol aircraft, which is just entering service. Orders for 22 Airbus A400M airlifters, 14 Airbus A330 air-refueling tankers and three RC-135 signals intelligence aircraft have survived the review. But a surprise move, the recently introduced Raytheon Sentinel (Astor) reconnaissance aircraft will be withdrawn, “once it is no longer required over Afghanistan.”