By Carrington Walker

Copyright dailyrecord

The Royal Air Force (RAF) will purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of firing nuclear weapons despite concerns over the craft’s stealth capabilities. Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton warned the British air and space force that integrating the jets, which can travel at more than 1,100mph, to existing systems would compromise their ability to evade detection. The additional dozen would take the UK’s total F-35 count up to 74, with the F-35As giving the RAF nuclear capability for the first time since the 1990s , and are expected to be based at RAF Marham. The WE.177 nuclear bomb was the last nuclear airborne deterrent the UK possessed, a primary air-dropped nuclear weapon in use from the late 1960s to 90s. F-35B variants already in operation for the RAF are supersonic fighters that have a similar amount of thrust as the incoming F-35A, but with a shorter range. “The integration of a standoff weapon onto that platform to ensure that we’re able to maximise the value of the stealth capability,” ACM Sir Rich, who was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff in September, warned MPs during a Public Accounts Committee gathering. “There are elements that are dependent on the US programme that we are unable to influence directly. So we are examining opportunities to use other weapon types that are already integrated. “We will consider that as part of the defence investment plan alongside the Government’s commitment to increasing stockpiles and weapons.” The F-35A is a highly agile aircraft, powered by a Pratt & Whitney 135 engine with 40,000lbs of thrust, giving it 9G capability and a range of more than 1,300 miles. Being a dual-capable craft, F-35As can deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads. Acquiring this type of aircraft was a key recommendation for the Strategic Defence Review. “There are detailed and specific requirements around certification of people, ground crew, pilots, and the infrastructure of the aircraft to ensure that we meet the exacting standards associated with handling and using nuclear weapons,” ACM Sir Rich adds. The newly appointed Chief of the Defence Staff also underlined how training would be conducted on flight simulators, while the RAF would collaborate with allied nations that operate dual-combat aircraft. Existing F-35B models are exclusively armed with conventional weapons, such as AMRAAM and ASRAAM air-to-air missiles and the Paveway IV laser-guided bomb. ACM Sir Rich has previously contended that the RAF is failing to properly utilise the B variants in terms of availability and weapon integration. The UK will increase its F-35 fleet to 138 as it continues its largest operation to strengthen its nuclear posture for a generation to deter rogue threats from nations such as Russia, China, and Iran.