Minister for Defence Procurement Maria Eagle acknowledged the delay during a parliamentary session. She said that a new business case for the program will not be available until the end of 2025. As a result, the current schedule is considered a “low-confidence forecast,” and further adjustments are anticipated.
The F-35 B’s growing position in the Royal Navy
Because of the delay in the integration of SPEAR 3, the operational profile of the F-35B fleet remains unchanged. Both the amphibious task group operations and the carrier strike missions of the Royal Navy rely heavily on this fleet. Both the HMS Queen Elizabeth and the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers make use of these stealth planes to assist with amphibious operations and to offer close air support (CAS) missions in hazardous regions.
SPEAR 3, made by MBDA, is meant to provide F-35B aircraft with the capacity to hit moving and time-sensitive targets from a distance of more than 140 km without breaking through hostile air defences. The missile has a turbojet engine and may be connected to other missiles, enabling coordinated strikes with more than one missile. It was thought that adding it to the UK’s fifth-generation fleet would greatly improve its ability to attack.
Operational setback for early combat capability
With the delay now extending into the 2030s, F-35B aircraft will remain without their primary deep-strike munition for years to come. This postponement not only affects UK air power projection but also undermines the operational readiness of carrier-based missions in contested zones. Given the aircraft’s stealth profile and its role in delivering surprise precision attacks in the early phases of conflict, the absence of a compatible long-range missile reduces the effectiveness of this critical advantage.
According to Airforce Technology, the MoD’s current projections lack a fully validated delivery roadmap, and any commitments beyond 2025 remain speculative until the revised programme is formally approved. Business Insider notes that technical and budgetary hurdles—such as software integration within the F-35 B’s Block 4 configuration—are key contributors to the timeline slippage.
Strategic implications
F-35Bs are expected to serve as the spearhead of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group and Littoral Response Group, supporting NATO operations and rapid deployment scenarios. Their mission profile includes providing immediate firepower from the sea, especially in areas lacking nearby airbases. The lack of SPEAR 3 availability limits these aircraft to shorter-range munitions like Paveway IV and ASRAAM, constraining their ability to shape the battlespace from standoff distances.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
