Three new F-35B fifth-generation multirole fighter jets have arrived in the UK.

The arrival of these fighter jets increased the total number to 30 units.

Currently, 26 of these aircraft are in the United Kingdom, and three more are used in the United States to test and train pilots. One aircraft was lost in the crash.

Seven more aircraft are due to be delivered in 2023, with all 47 first-tranche fighter jet orders due to be completed by the end of 2025.

After that, the Ministry of Defense intends to purchase a second batch of F-35s in an unknown quantity.

Along with this, the fleet of Typhoon fighters will be increased and modernized.

The United Kingdom officially announced its intention to purchase the F-35s in 2006. The agreement to supply three F-35Bs to participate in the initial operational testing and evaluation phase was signed in March 2009.

The first F-35B was officially adopted into service in July 2012. Subsequently, two more aircraft used in the United States were delivered.

In July 2012, the government announced a decision to purchase the first batch of 48 fighter jets.

The signed contract to supply the first 4 F-35B fighters was announced in November 2014.

The main feature of the F-35B is the possibility of reduced take-off and vertical landing, which is suitable for operating on aircraft carriers.

In general, the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 proposed to purchase a total of 138 fighter jets for the UK.