£135m infrastructure contract ‘marks milestone’ in UK F35 programme

The Defence Secretary has announced that a £135 million contract to support the new fast jets at RAF Marham has been awarded by the Ministry of Defence.

A new aircraft hangar capable of housing 12 of the new fast jet aircraft will be delivered, from which they will deploy to our Queen Elizabeth Class carriers giving the UK world class carrier strike capability.

It will improve existing facilities, including resurfacing two runways and taxiways, while the Station remains operational.

Vertical Landing Pads will also be added to RAF Marham, allowing the F-35B to land vertically, a capability previously covered by the Harrier jets.

Sir Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary, said: “Flying from our new Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, the F-35B aircraft will provide the UK with the ability to project our influence globally. This contract will ensure that RAF Marham has the facilities to match this world-class aircraft when it arrives next year. Throughout the F-35 programme, British firms have won major contracts creating thousands of jobs. The contract to improve the runways and taxiways as well as installing new landing pads will bring local jobs to Marham.”