The Royal Air Force said the milestone completes one of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft programmes. The F-35B is a central element of UK air power and operates from both land bases and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
The aircraft can operate from RAF Marham and from HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The RAF said each F-35B provides stealth technology, advanced sensors and advanced combat capability to support the UK and its allies.
RAF Marham is home to the UK’s F-35B Lightning Wing. The wing includes three squadrons that support training, force generation and frontline operations.
207 Squadron serves as the Operational Conversion Unit. It trains the next generation of F-35B pilots and groundcrew before they join the frontline force.
617 Squadron, known as the Dambusters, and 809 Naval Air Squadron are the two frontline units. Both squadrons include Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel, reflecting the joint nature of UK combat aviation.
The squadrons are designed to project air power from land or from the ski-jump flight deck of a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier. The RAF said they stand ready to deliver operational capability wherever required.
“I’m delighted to welcome the final aircraft of our initial procurement of F35Bs to Marham,” said Air Commodore Layden, Combat Air Force Commander.
“This marks an important milestone in our 5th generation combat air power journey, reinforcing our declaration of full operational capability last year,” Layden said.
“The Lightning Wing’s stalwart service over the last year reflects how far we’ve come, with operations ranging from a truly global carrier strike deployment in 2025, to combat missions in defence of UK personnel in Cyprus and the Middle East this year,” Layden said.
“We look to the future with confidence, and this year will see us making the most of our new aircraft as we showcase our ability to project and integrate 5th-generation combat power from land and sea,” Layden added.
