Multimillion pound jets, which had been based in the US, arrived at RAF Marham in Norfolk two months ahead of schedule

'The future of our air power': F-35 stealth fighter jets land on British soil

Britain’s multimillion pound F-35 stealth fighter jets have touched down on UK soil.

The supersonic aircraft have been stationed in America since their manufacture, being tested and used for training by Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots.

Four of the jets, which had been based at US Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, crossed the Atlantic on Wednesday to become permanently stationed in the UK.

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Landing at RAF Marham in Norfolk, the home base of the F-35, the fighter jets touched down two months ahead of schedule at around 8pm, with the officer commanding 617 squadron, Wing Commander John Butcher, doing so first.

“It was a good flight across from the United States, the weather was in our favour and it felt absolutely brilliant bringing the jets back here today,” he told the Press Association.

He said the jets coped well with the trip and how were no issues with any of them during the crossing.

The UK’s £9.1bn programme to buy 48 of the F-35s, the world’s most advanced fighter jet, over the next decade has come under fire over capability and expense.

Reports have suggested that the effective cost of each plane is as much as £150m when logistics and support are taken into account.

RAF air cadets, military personnel, as well as the families of those from 617 squadron and the wider base lined up on the edge of the taxiway to watch the wheels hit the tarmac.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The first of four F-35B Lightning II fifth generation combat aircraft arrives at RAF Marham. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said it was “an historic day”.

“This is the future of our air power for decades to come, so this is a tremendously important day.”

The jets will be jointly flown by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and will operate from land and sea, including off the decks of the new £3.1bn Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Five more UK F-35 are also expected to arrive from the US at RAF Marham by the end of July or beginning of August.