UK to buy F-35A

[JasonT1981]

The  UK government tonight has announced it will buy 12  F-35A

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-purchase-f-35as-and-join-nato-nuclear-mission-as-government-steps-up-national-security-and-delivers-defence-dividend

There was talk last week they would buy them for their nuclear load capabilities.

[angry turnip]

They won't be able to take them very far without tanker support.
Strange that with all the tech being poured into attack aircraft,nobody has yet built a stealth tanker.

[keegster]

They won't be able to take them very far without tanker support.
Strange that with all the tech being poured into attack aircraft,nobody has yet built a stealth tanker.

Apparently the F-35A is designed to be refuelled using the boom system, as opposed the F-35B which can refuel using the drogue setup.

Guess which setup the RAF Voyagers use? 

[JasonT1981]

So, I guess they will have to use  USAF KC-135s?

[angry turnip]

The RAF's Voyagers are only capable of probe-and-drogue refuelling, they are unable to refuel current or future RAF aircraft that are fitted solely for flying boom refuelling, including the Boeing RC-135, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing 737 AEW&C and Boeing P-8 Poseidon.
In April 2016, the RAF stated its interest in fitting a boom to some Voyagers, bringing its fleet into line with other MRTT operators.
Fitting a boom would add flexibility to the RAF Voyagers, allowing refuelling of RAF aircraft not fitted for probe and drogue, and also by other air forces that operate boom-refuelled aircraft.

[sneaky_nikon]

Note that these are instead of and not in addition to a portion of the next purchase of 35Bs.

The 'nuclear capability' extends to being able to deliver US weapons drawn from the pool assigned to NATO. They're PAL equipped and 100% dependent upon US permission for use. 

I suspect cost cutting masked with bluster and a little inter-service rivalry, but then I'm a terrible cynic.