Decision on the purchase of F-35 version of the UK has yet been taken

The UK is still undecided on which version of the F-35 would be bought: the model of the conventional takeoff or short takeoff and vertical landing (STVOL its acronym in English). The decision may result in profound changes in the design of a two-class aircraft carriers Queen Elizabeth under construction.

Information Jane's realize that the British prime minister, David Cameron, asked the Treasury Department an independent study on the costs associated with the possible amendment of such a carrier to operate the F-35C, the model off the conventional .

Just over a month, it was learned that the British Government may be considering leaving the decision in 2010 to acquire the F-35C version and return to his original plan to acquire the F-35B (STVOL).

At that time, Defense News quoted the contents of a letter from a spokesman for the defense of the Labour Party in opposition, Jim Murphy, on the issue that gave rise to doubts about the impact of change model for the future British aircraft carrier.

The same agency also published their impressions of the analyst at the Institute of International Studies, Douglas Barrie, pointing to the possibility of the UK variant disregard the acquisition of conventional "be more related to the financial implications of changing the design of ships with the issues related to the aircraft itself. "

According to Jane's a decision by the Prime Minister Cameron to request an independent review of this program reflects two major concerns. The first concerns the embarrassing twist in one of the core components of defense and security strategy of the coalition government. The second is related to a possible adverse reaction to the decision could have on the government and the U.S. Navy.

The program of the British aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth Class includes construction of two ships, although only one of them is guaranteed in the Royal Navy. The second might even be sold to an ally.

The construction of the first of these ships, HMS Queen Elizabeth, who will be the largest ship in the history of the British Navy, took an important step this week. As reported in the journal The Telegraph on Monday, two sections of the ship of 11,500 tons were united and will be welded in the coming days.

In total, the ship will have 65,000 tons, three times more than the current Invincible class.