Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Deferred
F-35 Full Operating Capability declaration based on military judgement and factual assessment.
Conclusion
The Department told us that its criteria for declaring FOC are based on a combination of hard facts and applied military judgement. In forming its view, it told us that it had considered FOC through four distinct 5 C&AG’s Report, para 9 6 Q 91 7 C&AG’s Report, para 1.19 8 Qq 87, 91; C&AG’s Report para 1.10 9 Q 118 10 C&AG’s Report, para 3 11 C&AG’s Report, paras 11, 1.19, 1.21 7 lenses: the state of the programme; the operational capability available; other defence lines of development including personnel, infrastructure, organisation and doctrine; and the contractual and legal situation.12 The Department told us that the decision to declare FOC is ultimately taken by the Chief of the Air Staff following a recommendation from the F-35 programme Senior Responsible Owner which is cleared through the chain of command.13
Government Response Summary
The government response is entirely unrelated to the recommendation regarding the F-35 Full Operating Capability (FOC) criteria, instead discussing animal vaccine availability and ongoing cross-sector engagement, with an action plan to be published in late 2026.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. vaccine availability outlines a strategic framework for cross-sector action. VMD is continuing cross-sector engagement to identify ways to improve supply and enable future innovation (involving government, pharmaceutical manufacturers, vet groups and broader animal health community). A five-year multi-stakeholder Action Plan will be published late 2026. Defra will work with VMD as the plan is developed. In parallel, mitigations for urgent availability issues are being identified and actioned. Action has already been taken to secure animal vaccine supply to the UK. For example, in 2024, Defra worked with manufacturers, industry and the VMD to expedite emergency use of a Bluetongue 3 vaccine and subsequently to manage supply challenges. Defra supported the joint industry-government avian influenza vaccine taskforce (the Taskforce) to look at the emerging use of HPAI vaccines. A report published by the Taskforce on 24 July 2025 provisionally recommends a future species-specific vaccination strategy, and a trial in turkeys. The Taskforce has committed to publish a subsequent report in Summer 2026. In relation to vaccine development work for Bovine TB, an application for approval of the Cattle BCG vaccine was made in September 2025 and is being assessed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate according to published timelines. APHA continues work towards generation of data for the bovine TB cattle vaccine skin test which involves a commercial contract and tender exercise.