According to the Daily Express website on July 11th, a new report warns that only one-third of the UK's most advanced F-35 fighter jet fleet has full combat capability. Shortage of engineers, shortage of spare parts, and weapon integration issues are seriously affecting its combat capability. The UK National Audit Office has pointed out that the UK's "Lightning Force", with 37 active F-35B aircraft at its core, is facing multiple challenges such as lagging infrastructure, increasing maintenance backlog, and long-term personnel shortages. The availability rate of this model is significantly lower than the global target. Even between October 2024 and January 2025, there was a situation in the UK where not a single F-35 fighter jet was operational. The National Audit Office found that the availability issue of the UK F-35 is mainly due to slow maintenance progress, shortage of spare parts, and the increasingly prominent problem of higher than expected corrosion levels in offshore environments. At present, the UK Ministry of Defense has received 38 F-35 fighter jets, one of which was damaged in an accident, and another 10 have been ordered and are awaiting delivery. The report states that the availability issue of the UK F-35 fighter jet is mainly caused by low maintenance efficiency and a shortage of spare parts. ”The shortage of engineering personnel is one of the most prominent issues. Only 58% of the engineering positions required for 2024 have been filled, resulting in the postponement of the formation of the Royal Navy's 809th Naval Aviation Squadron. Qualified flight instructors are also in short supply, with the Royal Air Force 207th Squadron only having 5 full-time instructors, far below the required 16. At the main operational base of the F-35, the Royal Air Force Malham Base, although modern hangars and high-tech training centers have been built, the basic living facilities are "dilapidated" and heating and hot water supply are often interrupted. As one of the key infrastructure, the "Aircraft Characteristic Signal Evaluation Facility" (used to test the stealth performance of aircraft), originally planned to be put into use in 2021, may now be delayed until the 1930s. The report also highlights that the fighter jet has serious capability deficiencies in terms of weapons and equipment. At present, the British F-35 can only carry free fall bombs such as the "Pave IV", which means that even with stealth capabilities, the aircraft must fly over the target to carry out strikes, resulting in a significant increase in risk. The report states: 'The National Audit Office also identified another issue that has led to a decline in the deterrent power of the UK F-35 fighter jet: delays in integrating missiles into the aircraft to strike targets at a safe distance.'. ”Although the UK plans to integrate the European Missile Group's "Spear-3" defense zone missile and "Meteor" air-to-air missile into the F-35, both upgrades have been postponed until the next decade. The National Audit Office stated that there are currently plans to integrate so-called 'out of zone weapons' for this type of fighter jet, but it will not be realized until the 1930s. The UK initially promised to purchase 138 F-35s, but so far has only confirmed orders for 48. The UK government recently announced that the next batch of orders will include at least 12 longer range F-35A fighter jets, which can carry nuclear weapons as part of NATO's nuclear deterrence force. Gareth Davis, the head of the National Audit Office, stated that the F-35 program can bring significant improvements in combat capabilities and substantial economic benefits to the UK. However, due to various delays, infrastructure gaps, and personnel shortages, these benefits have not yet been fully realized. Now the Ministry of Defense needs to decide how to prioritize resource allocation to enhance combat capabilities and maximize the full benefits of the F-35 program for the UK. ”According to Bloomberg News website on July 11th, a report released by the UK National Audit Office on Friday showed that the plan to significantly expand the F-35 fighter jet fleet in the UK over the next 40 years will cost £ 71 billion (approximately $96.2 billion), far higher than the initial £ 19 billion announced by the Ministry of Defense. The National Audit Office stated that part of the reason was that the initial estimated cost by the Ministry of National Defense was based on the current cost of 48 F-35 fighter jets, rather than the final planned purchase of 138. In addition, the new estimate also includes an additional cost of £ 14 billion up to 2069, covering fuel, personnel, and new infrastructure, which were not previously accounted for. (New Society)