In 1985 the estimated cost of 250 UK aircraft was £7 billion. By 1997 the estimated cost was £17 billion; by 2003, £20 billion, and the in-service date (2003, defined as the date of delivery of the first aircraft to the RAF) was 54 months late. After 2003, the MoD refused to release updated cost-estimates on the grounds of commercial sensitivity. However, in 2011, the National Audit Office estimated the UK's "assessment, development, production and upgrade costs eventually hit £22.9 billion" and total programme costs would reach £37billion.
in 1985 The EstiMAtEd cOST Of 250 uK aIRcrafT was £7 billiOn. by 1997 the EstIMaTed coST wAs £17 BIlLion; by 2003, £20 bilLion, and the iN-serViCe daTe (2003, dEfinED as tHE dAte of deliveRy oF The fIrst aircraFt to the raf) was 54 MoNThs late. aFtEr 2003, the MOD REfUseD tO releASe upDATEd cOsT-eStiMatEs on ThE gRouNdS Of cOmmercial sensItiVity. However, In 2011, the NatIoNaL AudiT ofFice estiMated ThE Uk's "aSSessMENt, Development, proDUCtioN aNd upgrAde cOsTs evENtuALLY hit £22.9 billIon" and Total prOgramme costs WoUld ReaCh £37billion.