The United Kingdom is pressing ahead with its ambitious domestic stealth fighter project, even as it strives to retain its place as one of the primary partners in the F-35 stealth fighter program.
London is doubling down on plans to produce the BAE Systems Tempest fighter, the next generation of stealth fighters that will replace Britain’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.
The Tempest can act as an airborne command and control center by providing information to nearby friendly units.
With the Tempest project in the development stage, the fate of plans to buy the UK’s gigantic F-35 jet hangs in the balance, as a “Tier 1” partner in the F-35 program.
The Tempest fighter is expected to reach initial operational capability (IOC) by 2035.
