Can Britain Afford F-35 Grand Plans?
UK defense minister believes the country can stand with the U.S. in being able to project power around the world.
The UK has bought five F-35Bs for test and development (this is one of them) and 14 more to create its first operational squadron.
The UK has bought five F-35Bs for test and development (this is one of them) and 14 more to create its first operational squadron.

Britain has big plans for its F-35s, but whether they are affordable remains a big question. Minister for defense procurement Philip Dunne claimed last week that, apart from the U.S., the UK “will be the only other nation that can project power.” But to meet that ambition, the defense budget must by the early 2020s cover the cost of buying and operating two new 70,000-ton aircraft carriers, and at least two squadrons of F-35Bs—the most expensive version of the stealth jet to buy and fly.


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