UK negotiates purchase of American nuclear-capable fighters to strengthen air defense (X @usairforce)
The UK government is secretly negotiating with the United States to purchase F-35A fighters capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, a move that represents the largest expansion of British defense since the Cold War.
The plan is to create a second pillar for the country’s nuclear deterrent, now with an air component, in addition to the traditional submarine capability. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defense Secretary John Healey support this initiative, which also includes a multibillion-dollar investment to replenish military supplies and build new factories, creating about a thousand jobs.
Although the UK retired its airborne nuclear bombs in 1998 and still relies solely on submarine-based deterrence with intercontinental missiles, the country has recently decided to restore its nuclear capability for American planes based on its territory. The B61 bomb, which can be carried by the new fighters, has variable yield and is the main air nuclear weapon in the US arsenal.
This decision comes amid rising global risks of nuclear weapon use, considered the highest since the Cold War.
The topic has not yet been officially announced but is expected to be part of the new UK Strategic Defence Review, scheduled for release in June. The document also recommends increasing the UK’s contribution to NATO’s nuclear deterrence in Europe. NATO has already indicated plans to modernize special weapons facilities in allied countries, including the UK, highlighting the strategic importance of this move in the face of current threats, especially related to Russia.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @usairforce | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
