美國空軍表示，由於對俄羅斯的緊張關係日甚，美國空軍計畫增加在歐洲的兵力。英國RAF Lakenheath基地

美國宣布，計畫自2020年開始，在英國拉肯希斯空軍基地（RAF Lakenheath）派駐F─35戰鬥機。以抗衡蘇聯在西歐日益強勢的空軍戰略佈署,主要是針對NATO的反戰略計劃,根據情資顯示,蘇聯空軍將在2020年底前將增加4大隊的長程戰略轟炸機佈署於西歐戰區,以及增加4大隊的SU-35戰鬥機,4大隊的T-50戰鬥轟炸機,因此美國軍事觀察家分析認為,有效的扼阻蘇聯的空軍優勢,因此優先增強駐英國的空軍武力.但是某些英國空軍戰略專家分析認為美國F-35戰鬥機造價高昂保養維修費用自然水漲船高?

而且英國RAF Lakenheath基地 設備老舊,即須更新,擴建F-35專用跑道,停機庫,油庫,彈藥庫,以及戰略行政管制中心及雷達站等等設施,初估至少得花費7500萬英鎊? 美國願意支付?此外尚有美軍眷村以及醫療設施學校等...

It is only fitting then, that UK Airshow Review's very first Talking Point is on the most topical of current military aviation debates - Is The F-35 Right For Britain?  Some elements of the F-35 programme would undoubtedly be “nice to have”. In an era of shrinking defence budgets however our armed forces increasingly have to prioritise. The F-35 does not meet our current defence priorities. We need a capable aircraft that will work quickly and for a sensible budget. The F-35 is a relic of Cold War thinking. A conventional engagement with an adversary capable of dealing with even third generation fighters is unlikely. We have neither the budget nor need to go any further, and certainly not at the cost of invaluable capabilities like effective close air support, a varied weapons load and a swift entry to service at a reasonable price.

The contract for the fourth UK F-35B in 2013 confirmed the unit cost at $145.9m, including engine and all mission systems. Using the current exchange rate, that puts the F-35B at £85m each, for the more expensive low-rate production examples. Lockheed Martin estimates that during full-rate production from 2019, the cost of an F-35A will be $85m (under £50m), meaning the F-35B should cost around £60-70m. A Tranche 3 Typhoon currently costs approximately £71m. Any argument that suggests the F-35 is expensive compared to other fighters is without substance.

美國駐歐空軍（United States Air Forces in Europe，USAFE），為美國歐洲司令部的空軍部分，為美國本土外兩個主要空軍司令部之一（另一個為美國太平洋空軍司令部）。美國駐歐洲空軍總部駐德國拉姆施泰因空軍基地。現有總兵力3萬人左右。美國駐歐洲空軍在作戰上受美軍歐洲司令部指揮，在行政及支援系統方面由美國空軍參謀長指揮管理。

To dismiss the F-35 as "unproven" is futile, no warplane can truly be proven until it has gone to war. The F-35 is the first all-aspect stealth aircraft the UK has operated. With a Radar Cross Section believed to be comparable to that of the B-2 it's not difficult to see what a huge game changing warplane it can be for the UK. What it offers is maximum flexibility; it can go where conventional aircraft dare not and when the enemies defences have weakened, then you can use external stores, non-stealth aircraft will never have this advantage. Indeed, in a recent interview Air Combat Command chief Gen. Mike Hostage stated "You're not going to get a Growler close up to help in the first hours and days of the conflict, so I'm going to be relying on stealth to open the door."

Internally the F-35B can carry similar ordnance to the Harrier, only further and faster – exactly as the design requirement specified. With munitions getting smaller and equally as lethal, it's an obsolete point against the aircraft.

To suggest the FAA could operate the Rafale or Super Hornet sooner and cheaper, is hugely optimistic, as well as a substantial loss to British industry and the economy. If we cannot afford the F-35, then we couldn't afford the Typhoon either.

英國即將竣工的新型航空母艦計劃搭配F-35B戰鬥機,因為英國財政狀況不佳,,無法一次編列預算,採購美國60架F-35B ,所以只能以租用方式解決,有航空母艦無艦載機的窘態,這是英國國防的奇恥大辱,.有些英國保守派人士認為,美國霸權作風,比英國佬還要囂張,儘敢欺侮到祖宗身上.