HME Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

(asked on 22nd November 2021) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK F-35B aircraft are stationed on (a) HMS Queen Elizabeth and (b) HMS Prince of Wales.


Answered by
James Heappey Portrait
James Heappey
This question was answered on 25th November 2021

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH embarked 18 F-35Bs for the Carrier Strike Group 2021 operational deployment in two squadrons: eight from the UK's 617 Squadron RAF and 10 from the US Marine Corps squadron VMFA-211. However, one UK F-35B was lost on 17 November 2021 and therefore seven UK F-35B remain currently embarked.

The Lightning Force deployed to HMS PRINCE OF WALES in mid-September 2021, with 207 Squadron undertaking a period of intensive Carrier Qualification training. HMS PRINCE OF WALES is currently alongside in her home port of Portsmouth with all aircraft disembarked.

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