US Plans to Deploy F35 Stealth Fighter Jets in Europe
New Delhi: The Plan of the US government to deploy its fighter jets in Europe is an open and clear challenge to Russia and its interventions in the region. In 2015, the UK’s Ministry of Defence had allocated close to £160 million ($218 million) for these up-gradations at the base.
According to a media report – In the new development — the first fighter military aircraft to be permanently based in Europe have arrived in the UK, with a party of four F-35-A touching down at their new home base at RAF Lakenheath in southeastern England on Wednesday.
This comes as US Air Force (USAF) is planning to permanently station two squadrons that will consist of 48 fighter jets at the Suffolk base, alongside existing Boeing F-15 fighters.
Jeff Harrigian, commander of Allied Air Command said “The Valkyries which is 495th Fighter Squadron’s nickname are leading our F-35 integration across Europe. We have come a long way, and now we are extending our reach as a coalition force and what we will accomplish together,”
Now, as threats of the Russian invasion of Ukraine looms, the US Air Force will fly out four jets across to Europe, which is expected to be complemented by 20 more in the coming weeks.
(_Vinayak)
