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F-35 Aircraft: Procurement

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 18 November 2025UIN 87988

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what percentage of flying instructor roles are currently gapped within the F-35 programme.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

53% of flying instructor roles are currently gapped on the Lightning training Squadron, this is an improvement of some 20% since the publication of the National Audit Office report in July 2025. The shortfall is mitigated by using flying instructors from elsewhere on the Lightning Force.

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