Under the F-35 Lightning II programme, advance versions of the F-35 aircraft are expected to be produced for the US Air Force (the F-35A conventional version); for US Marines and the British Navy (the F-35B Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing version); and for the US Navy (the F-35C conventional carrier-launched version). The programe is named after Lockheed’s World War II – era P-38 Lightning aircraft.

Countries which have expressed an interest in partnering the programme include Britain (Tier 1 country), Italy and the Netherlands (Tier 2), and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (Tier 3 counties). Countries like Singapore and Israel will also be a part of the programme under the category of ‘Security Cooperation Partners.’ The cost of the F-35 programme is estimated to be around $300 billion1.

• 1. “F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: 2009-2010,” July 16, 2009 at http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/F-35-Joint-Strike-Fighter-Events-Con...