Sustaining the front line

摘要

The UK fast jet force has taken a serious hit over recent years as a succession of squadrons has disbanded. However, plans are now becoming clearer and the picture may be looking a little healthier for the future. THE HAND-OVER OF the first Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter to the UK on 19 July was a significant event in many ways. Clearly, it marked the first step on the long path towards the UK establishing its new 'fifth-generation' strike fighter capability, but more significantly, it gave the first insight into the complex and constantly evolving long-term fleet plan for the British fast-jet force.