Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
F-35 Full Operational Capability definition omits critical standoff weapon and personnel readiness
Conclusion
The Department acknowledged that its definition of FOC excludes a crucial element of capability. It does not include a requirement to integrate Spear 3 onto the F-35 to provide a standoff weapon to attack ground targets from a safe distance, which it does not expect to have until the early 2030s. This is despite the Chief of the Defence Staff telling us that this was what worried him most about the F-35 and its capability.14 The Department also acknowledged that it will not have resolved personnel shortages that pose a risk to capability before the planned FOC declaration.15
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 19 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗