Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Deferred
F-35 Full Operating Capability repeatedly delayed, with sustainability issues unresolved.
Conclusion
The Department expects to declare Full Operating Capability (FOC) by the end of 2025. In its 2018 Concept of Use document the Department had expected to declare FOC by the end of 2023 based on two frontline squadrons of 12 aircraft and a training squadron at full capacity. It subsequently delayed this to April 2025, then to December 2025, and introduced a more qualitative assessment of FOC. The Department expects to evidence FOC in part by deploying two full squadrons during the 2025 Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployment. However, the National Audit Office’s report notes that “even if the MoD meets its FOC criteria, it will not yet have a force that can deploy sustainably.”11
Government Response Summary
The government response is entirely unrelated to the recommendation regarding the F-35 Full Operating Capability (FOC) declaration, instead discussing the 'illegal meat crisis' and biosecurity at the border.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. government response to the recent EFRA Select Committee report ‘Britain’s illegal meat crisis’. Biosecurity at the border: Britain's illegal meat crisis: Government Response The department has noted calls to do more to educate travellers about the consequences of bringing illegal food products into the United Kingdom. In recent months, it has worked with travel operators and other government departments to step up communications informing travellers of the restrictions on personal imports of food products, including via GOV.UK, posters and social media channels. This includes the reasons for the restrictions and the consequences of non-compliance. The department’s communications team conducts regular surveys to assess awareness of its public communications. The department is focussing on developing its relationship with Dover Port Health Authority and establishing a revised strategic approach to the issue of illegal meat imports via the Short Straits. As part of this, the department will draw on the expertise of the operational staff at Dover to better understand the seizure data. The department is now actively considering increases to the funding for Dover Port Health Authority to improve operational coverage to tackle illegal meat imports. Funding decisions will take account of preventing the costs of major disease outbreaks. Border Force is funded by the Home Office. APHA sought views and opinions from relevant experts in 2025, to improve estimates of illegal meat imports. It aims to publish details of the new methodology in early 2026 with data analysis to follow at the end of 2026.