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.
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.