Final assembly of the Eurofighter Typhoon has ceased at BAE Systems’ Warton facility in Lancashire, as existing orders come to an end and no new domestic or export contracts have yet been secured, according to a statement issued by the Unite union on Monday.

BAE Systems has redeployed hundreds of workers from Warton to other company sites or RAF bases.

The UK expects to complete procurement of an additional 12 F-35A and 15 F-35B aircraft by 2033, with the initial batch of 48 F-35Bs due for delivery by March 2026, according to statements made in the House of Lords.

Speaking during a defence question session, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence Lord Coaker confirmed that the second phase of the UK’s F-35 programme will include 27 aircraft: “12 F-35As and 15 F-35Bs, which will enable the stand-up of the third front-line squadron focused on F-35Bs.”

Speaking at the Defence Committee on today, Healey set out new details on the evolving mix of F-35 variants in UK service and how the newly announced F-35A aircraft will fit into future plans.

The session provided the first detailed public discussion of the F-35A decision since it was announced last week. The Defence Secretary said 12 F-35As will be substituted into the next tranche of 27 jets to be ordered, replacing 12 F-35Bs that would otherwise have been procured.

The legendary RAF team has 13 working jets and may be down to six by 2028, which would end their trademark “diamond nine” display.

The number of working ­aircraft has dropped from 26 in January to just 17 today. Four are in so-called deep maintenance, so just 13 are available to fly.

A Defence Minister has confirmed that the Royal Air Force is still exploring the possibility of operating a mix of F-35B and F-35A fighter jets, suggesting a potential future acquisition of the A variant.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the integration of the MBDA Meteor missile with the F-35B Lightning II has slipped again, with in-service capability now expected in the early 2030s—with 2027 being the previously estimated date.

The SDR has stated that the Armed Forces should accelerate their transition to a ‘high-low’ mix of equipment - for the RAF this means a sixth-generation, crewed jet (GCAP) operating with autonomous collaborative platform (ACP).

The Royal Air Force is set to deepen its integration with civilian aviation providers, using chartered aircraft to expand its capacity for airlift, troop transport, and even air-to-air refuelling.

The recommendation — part of the latest Strategic Defence Review — reflects growing concerns that existing fleets alone may not meet operational demands in a crisis or prolonged campaign.

According to The Sunday Times, air-launched nuclear capabilities could soon be returning to the Royal Air Force.

Britain is exploring the potential return of air-delivered nuclear weapons, in what officials are describing as a response to a “new era of threat” posed by Russia.

Press reports ahead of UK’s Strategic Defence Review say plans for the RAF could include the procurement of F-35A Lightning II fighters with a mention of delivering nuclear payload.

Of course there is always the traditional choice of a lengthy capability gap, but that doesn’t seem clever right now.

Air power brings with it a level of complexity and agendas that makes warship planning look easy...