The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in the Ministry of Defence has set out plans for a construction contract to support the second frontline F-35B Lightning fighter squadron at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
A procurement pipeline notice published today (13 May) confirms that the DIO is preparing to launch a tender for a works valued at £90m excluding VAT.
RAF Marham is home to the RAF’s existing F-35B fleet and a hub for maintenance of the UK’s Lightning Force.
The base hosts two operational F-35B squadrons: 617 (Dambusters) Squadron was the first to be based there, followed by 809 Naval Air Squadron.
The new pipeline notice covers airfield infrastructure to support the latter squadron’s F-35B Lightning IIs.
Procurement is expected to begin with a tender notice on 1 September.
The contract will run for just over three years, starting on 2 February 2026 with completion by 30 March 2029.
Various firms built previous F-35B infrastructure at RAF Marham under different contracts. These included an £82.5m deal for Balfour Beatty in 2016 to build engineering and training facilities.
Galliford Try and Lagan Construction have also built hangars and vertical landing pads at the base.
Source: Gov.uk Find a Tender
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