World War 3: UK makes RAF 1200mph supersonic jet 'combat ready' as Putin raises THREAT

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is visiting RAF Marham in Norfolk today where he is expected to declare the F-35B Lightning capable of launching combat missions. The state-of-the-art

fighter jets are now equipped with missiles capable of travelling at 2,300 miles per hour and obliterating targets in just 48 seconds. The jets, which are also designed to combat cyber

attacks, will replace the RAF’s fleet of Tornados which have provided critical air power in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and wider afield since the 1970s.

F-35 brings stealth capability, which is of great use, and has other systems to make it a true multi-role aircraft

They will carry out missions and operations from both land and the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, and are considered cutting-edge in their technology and performances.

The jets can reach a top speed of 1,200mph and have “unprecedented” stealth capabilities. Their airframe designs, advanced materials and other features make them "virtually undetectable to

enemy radar".

Justin Bronk, a Research Fellow at Rusi who specialises in combat airpower, told the Telegraph: “If the UK is going to have answers to a resurgent Russian threat we absolutely need Typhoon

and F-35 working together, which needs quite a bit of modernisation”

“In theory both complement each other brilliantly, but you need to get the modernisation before that becomes a reality”.

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Britain has committed to a £9.1 billion programme to buy 48 of the jets by 2025, with a pledge to purchase a total 138, they will be jointly operated by Royal Air Force and Royal Navy

pilots.

US firm Lockheed Martin is the lead manufacturer of the warplanes which cost £76m each but British companies are responsible for around 15 percent of the parts for each of the 3,000 jets

being built.

BAE Systems test pilot Peter Kosogorin told the Telegraph: “It’s a critical time for the RAF.

“On the one hand it’s sad to say goodbye to the Tornado, but it’s exciting to have a brand new aircraft in service.

“Tornado has been a stalwart, always there when you need it. It has proved a very effective workhorse for a number of decades in a number of conflicts.

“F-35 brings stealth capability, which is of great use, and has other systems to make it a true multi-role aircraft: it can protect itself, it can protect other aircraft and prosecute

multiple different missions at the same time.

“Typhoon will carry on the torch from Tornado. It will operate seamlessly with F-35 in the future, as it is today over Syria with Tornado. The forces complementing each other is very

formidable.”

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