Dramatic cuts announced in U.K. F-35 program

F-16.net ^ | October 25, 2009 | Eric L. Palmer

[Jet Jaguar]

The U.K. has decided to sacrifice one of its two new aircraft carriers F-35 flight capability due to that bleeding ulcer called a defence budget.

While the U.K. is committed to buying two "aircraft" carriers in the original contract, the second one, the Price of Wales, due to go into service in 2018, will be used as a troop and helicopter carrier.

With this, the U.K. will cut their F-35 order from around 138 down to 50. This has been agreed upon by senior navy and air force commanders who are preparing for the strategic defence review.

“We always knew that the real cost of the carrier project is the JSF fleet to go on them. It would cost us at least £12 billion if we bought all the aircraft we originally asked for. We are waking up to the fact that all those planes are unaffordable. More than half of the £5 billion contracts to build the two new carriers have been contracted, so it is too late to get out of building the ships. This way at least we are covered when Ocean goes out of service.”

In August, it was reported here that the U.K. has also considered to drop the Short-Take-Off-and Vertical Landing (STOVL) F-35B in favor of the U.S. Navy style F-35C.

[gaijin]

Japan might take up the slack —news item 10 days ago...

[HighWheeler]

from the article:

"...the second one, the Price of Wales,..."

-- -- --

I wonder if they spelled "whales" wrong, too.

[Jet Jaguar]

I saw it as well.

[Cindy]

Thread Bump.

[Jet Jaguar]

Thank you Cindy.

[Cindy]

You’re welcome Jet Jaguar.

[tlb]

Jobs program to keep the shipbuilder workers voting for Labour, not a defense program. Upon completion look for the vessels to be sold in short order to India or Australia.

The RN will issue a report that eliminating the carriers will “improve defense efficiency”. Since they can’t even afford to operate frigates, I guess that will be the truth.