Ministry of Defence awards £135m contract to build new F-35 hangar

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £135m infrastructure contract to shore up its F-35 fighter jet programme.

The nine-figure contract will see a joint venture between building firms Galliford Try and Lagan Construction create a new aircraft hangar at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

The facility will eventually house 12 F-35 planes, which are built by weapons giant Lockheed Martin and capable of reaching speeds of more than 1,200 mph.

From the new hangar, the aircraft will deploy to the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.

The scheme will also improve existing facilities at RAF Marham by resurfacing two runways and taxiways, and include the construction of landing pads to accommodate the F-35B’s ability to land vertically.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “Flying from our new Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, the F-35B aircraft will provide the UK with the ability to project our influence globally.

“This contract will ensure that RAF Marham has the facilities to match this world-class aircraft when it arrives next year.”

He continued: “Throughout the F-35 programme, British firms have won major contracts creating thousands of jobs. The contract to improve the runways and taxiways as well as installing new landing pads will bring local jobs to Marham.”

The investment in RAF Marham is the last of seven projects worth £250m carried out at the base, ahead of the arrival of the F-35 aircraft in 2018.

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