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RAF stealth warplane to perform first ever display in Britain

Xinhua, July 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Britain's new F-35B fighter jet is to make its British debut as a star attraction at one of Europe's biggest air shows which opens Friday.

The debut for the new supersonic stealth strike fighter comes days after the first F-35B touched down in Britain for the first time.

Although the F-35B is not due to enter military service with the Royal Air Force and the British Royal Navy until 2018, the warplane has arrived in advance from the United States to demonstrate to the British public the fifth generation state-of-the-art aircraft, said an Royal Air Force (RAF) spokesman.

More than 200,000 people are expected at the three-day Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

A flypast, will feature the F-35B Lightning, two RAF Typhoons and the legendary aerobatics display team the Red Arrows flying together in a unique combination.

An RAF spokesman said: "The pairing of the F-35B and Typhoon, which together represent the fast jet component of the UK's future air defense capability, comes as the F-35B performs its first ever display outside of the United States."

Air Commodore Harv Smyth, Lightning Force Commander, said: "The arrival of Lightning in the UK is an important step towards our delivery of operational capability with the UK's first ever stealth fighter aircraft."

Air Tattoo spokesman Richard Arquati said: "The forthcoming airshow will see us continue the tradition of presenting aerial spectacles that have rarely or never been seen before."

Other Air Tattoo highlights include displays by the U.S. AF F-22 Raptor, a Dutch Apache helicopter and an historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Government Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said: "The F-35Bs are the most advanced fast jets in the world. Whether operating from land or from one of our two new aircraft carriers, they will ensure we have a formidable fighting force."

"They are part of our plan for a stronger and better defense: more ships, more aircraft, more troops available at readiness, better equipment for special forces, more being spent on cyber -- to deal with the increased threats to our country," Fallon added.

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged in support of the RAF Charitable Trust, takes place at RAF Fairford between July 8 and 10. A week later the F-35B will appear in public again at the Farnborough Air Show in Britain. Enditem