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First F-35 jets ready to battle for Britain

Lucy Fisher, Defence Correspondent

The Times

The first 617 Squadron F-35B, Lightning II aircraft make their way across the AtlanticPA

Britain's new fleet of F-35 stealth fighter jets will be ready to hit targets in Syria from this summer.

Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, declared the multirole aircraft to be combat-ready yesterday, saying that they would warn Britain's adversaries: "Don't mess with us."

The first of the fleet arrived at RAF Marham in Norfolk in June. Speaking at the airbase, Mr Williamson reaffirmed Britain's commitment to buy 138 of the aircraft -- up from the 17 that make up its present contingent -- in a package worth PS9.1 billion, dismissing speculation that the squeezed defence budget could lead to the ambition being downgraded.

He announced that nine jets were ready to be deployed. The F-35s are yet to receive clearance to operate from the Royal...

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