Lockheed Martin's supersonic aircraft is designed to evade radar and replace ageing fighter aircraft for the US military and eight other allied countries. --PHOTO: LOCKHEED MARTIN
WASHINGTON - BRITAIN on Wednesday formally agreed to purchase three F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for initial testing, Defence Minister John Hutton confirmed during a visit to the US capital.
'I've also got some good news today for the UK-US special relationship,' said Mr Hutton, announcing the deal alongside US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
He said Britain would be 'fully participating' in the development stage of the F-35 and that the aircraft would form 'a very big part of the future for the Royal Air Force.'
Lockheed Martin's supersonic aircraft is designed to evade radar and replace ageing fighter aircraft for the US military and eight other allied countries.
The meeting between the two defense chiefs mainly focused a US strategy review for the war in Afghanistan, Gates told reporters.
The results of the review are expected to be announced within days, defense officials say. -- AFP
