F-35 Aircraft: Guided Weapons
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 93, what is the scope of the investment in a range of stand-off and long-range weapons for the Lightning Force in order to enhance F-35 lethality.
Answered by Ministry of Defence
The Defence Investment Plan identifies investment in a range of stand-off and long-range weapons to enhance the lethality of the Lightning Force, including investment of £460 million in the SPEAR 3 programme and up to £6.4 billion in wider munitions. In the interim until SPEAR 3 arrives, approvals have been given to proceed with a Foreign Military Sales procurement of the precision-guided munition, Small Diameter Bomb (SDB-II). This acquisition will provide the F-35 with an interim stand-off capability until the introduction of SPEAR-3 into service.
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