I want to write to Earl Howe
Earl Howe: Ministry of Defence officials are in regular and ongoing discussions with their US counterparts on the impact of Turkey's unwinding from the F-35 programme. We are disappointed that Turkey has chosen to acquire the Russian S-400 air defence system but they are still a valued NATO Ally and we remain committed to our strategic partnership.
Earl Howe: We are disappointed that Turkey has chosen to acquire the Russian S-400 air defence system. We will continue to discuss our concerns with Turkey as a valued NATO Ally and we remain committed to our strategic partnership. Our officials are in on going discussions with the F-35 Joint Programme Office and F-35 partners on the impact of Turkey's suspension from the F-35 programme.
Earl Howe: The UK remains concerned by the planned purchase of S-400 by Turkey and its implications for their continued participation in the F-35 programme. As the US administration has made clear, the purchase of S-400 generates unacceptable risks around F-35. We share this risk assessment and continue to call on Turkey to reconsider its planned purchase in light of those risks and the US offer of...
Earl Howe: The F-35 is at the beginning of its service life and is the most effective and developed aircraft capable of Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carrier operations. The combat air acquisition programme is looking at the replacement of Typhoon's capabilities and any new combat air system will need to be interoperable with the Carrier Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) programme. The concept...
Earl Howe: The Ministry of Defence does not recognise the term 'Sea Lightning', with 'F-35B Lightning' the designation jointly agreed by the First Sea Lord and the Chief of the Air Staff. Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 stated our intent to buy 138 F-35 Lightning aircraft over the life of the programme. The first tranche of 48 aircraft will be the F-35B; decisions on subsequent tranches of...
Earl Howe: The F-35 Lightning and Typhoon are highly advanced multi-role aircraft that will provide the UK with capable and credible platforms for the air superiority role in the coming decades. Typhoon will continue to provide Quick Reaction Alert for the foreseeable future.
Earl Howe: The Deployable F-35 Operations Facility at RAF Marham is ready for use, with formal initial operating capability expected in February 2019. The facility is air-portable.
Earl Howe: There are currently 26 pilots qualified to fly the F-35 Lightning aircraft, 15 Royal Air Force and 11 Royal Navy.
Earl Howe: Yes. However, the Deployable F-35 Operations Facility is intended for deployments on land.
Earl Howe: The UK's share of the common F-35 Block 4 development programme is approximately 4.5%. Commitments began in 2015 with Block 4 development study work.
Earl Howe: UK F-35 aircraft are already conducting hot ground refuelling.
Earl Howe: Support for all F-35 aircraft is being developed and established by the US-based F-35 Joint Program Office, through the Global Support Solution. This will service all F-35 partner nations, including the UK. Support contracts will therefore be denominated in US dollars.
Earl Howe: For the UK F-35 Lightning Programme our cost approvals include some provision to address foreign exchange rate risks. Depending on the stage of the programme, the senior responsible owner and the project team will manage an appropriate risk contingency of 5-10 per cent, which is dynamically managed and proportionate to the risks at that time. This will continue to be monitored and prioritised...
Earl Howe: On behalf of all the F-35 partner nations, the United States Joint Program Office negotiates the price and delivery targets for all F-35 aircraft with its suppliers. The UK, in turn, discusses its own F-35 delivery dates with the Joint Program Office.
Earl Howe: Support for the F-35 Lightning aircraft will be undertaken as part of the Global Support Solution. This is still being defined. It is therefore not possible to break down the cost into the format which the noble Lord has requested.
Earl Howe: The cost of an F-35 aircraft is published when the Joint Programme Office (JPO) lets a contract. The cost of aircraft to be procured in future contracts is still to be negotiated. I am witholding information relating to cost estimates as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Earl Howe: As part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015, we reaffirmed our commitment to procure 138 F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The first tranche of 48 aircraft will be of the F-35B variant, which will be jointly operated by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and capable of operating from both land and the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. The decision on the variant of...
Earl Howe: The Ministry of Defence is in regular discussion with its counterparts in the United States' Government about all aspects of the F-35 programme. The United Kingdom welcomes the recently announced reductions in programme costs and remains fully committed to the delivery of F-35 capability as announced in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Earl Howe: The F-35 programme has delivered 179 aircraft to date, of which 53 are F-35B variants. There are currently no UK-owned F-35 aircraft flying in the UK. To date, the UK has ordered eight F-35B aircraft of which four have been delivered and are flying in the US. By April 2017 the UK is planning to have ordered 17 F-35B aircraft, of which nine are scheduled to have been delivered.
Earl Howe: The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force operate as fully integrated joint organisations where elements work closely together sharing land, buildings and facilities, and sometimes equipment. The enhancements made in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) reflect their consequent integrated budgetary structure. The Spending Review 2015 set out plans to fund the SDSR, and confirms...