UK to Enhance Nuclear Deterrent with US Fighter Jets Capable of Carrying Warheads

The UK is set to expand its nuclear deterrent by purchasing American-made fighter jets capable of delivering US tactical warheads that may be stored on British soil. This decision, announced by Keir Starmer at the Nato summit, represents a significant shift in Britain's nuclear strategy since the end of the cold war. The purchase includes 12 F-35A jets, which can carry conventional munitions as well as the powerful US B61-12 gravity bomb. These aircraft are intended to strengthen the armed forces and support communities across the country.

US nuclear weapons have not been stationed in the UK since 2008, while Britain has not possessed air-launched nuclear weapons since 1998. The F-35As will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk and will join Nato's dual capable aircraft programme, aligning with the alliance's strategy to deter adversaries with a shared nuclear umbrella led by the US.

The B61-12 bomb has various explosive yields, with the most powerful exceeding the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The new jets are expected to create jobs and benefit UK suppliers, despite being manufactured by US defense firm Lockheed Martin. This purchase is part of a larger plan to acquire up to 138 F-35s in total.

The decision to expand the nuclear deterrent comes in response to rising global instability and renewed nuclear threats. The UK government aims to use defense as a growth engine for the economy and prepare for potential attacks on British soil. The security strategy highlights the need to address threats from Russia and Iran, emphasizing the importance of meeting Nato's defense spending targets.