British F-35 fighter jets to be equipped with Spear missiles

London: – The British defence ministry has taken the decision to equip the F-35B stealth fighter jets, from the British navy, with super-advanced missiles. For this, the British defence ministry signed an agreement for purchase of ‘Spear 3’ missiles. British media are claiming that after the F-35B are equipped with Spear 3 missiles, it will be possible to retaliate against enemy aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines and missiles. Whereas, as per military analysts, the United Kingdom is increasing its level of defence preparedness, in view of the increasing Russian aggression, over the last few months. HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are the two aircraft carriers in the British navy. The United Kingdom has purchased F-35B stealth fighter jets from the United States for deployment on these warships. The British defence ministry was making efforts to equip these fighter jets, already equipped with Super-advanced radar systems and sensors, with third generation missiles, since the last few months. It had been revealed that the British defence ministry was holding talks with MBDA, a France based defence equipment manufacturer company.

On Thursday, the British defence ministry announced that an agreement worth USD 750 million was signed with MBDA. As per the agreement, MBDA will be supplying Spear 3 cruise missiles for the British F-35B fighter jets. These missiles travelling at a subsonic speed are claimed to be of the ‘Next Generation’. If these missiles are deployed on the F-35 fighter jets, protecting the military and soldier locations and British interests will become easier. The United Kingdom claimed that the need for the F-35 fighter jets to take any risk also will be eliminated.

Spear 3 the air-to-surface missile, has a range of 140 kilometres. At the same time, these missiles can also destroy moving targets. The British media are claiming that deployment of these missiles will increase the striking power of the F-35B fighter jets and strength of the British navy. Currently, the British navy is equipped with 21 F-35B fighter jets. The concerned fighter jets will be deployed on the HMS Queen Elizabeth at the end of this year and the warship will embark on its maiden marine mission. Since the last few months, the United Kingdom has made its policies regarding military and defence preparedness, more aggressive. The military analysts are claiming that the increase in the defence preparedness level of the United Kingdom is against the background of the increasing Chinese and Russian threat.