UK Strengthens Nuclear Posture with F-35 Fighter Jet Purchase
The United Kingdom is set to significantly bolster its nuclear deterrence capabilities with the purchase of 12 F-35A fighter jets. This move, described by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation,” was announced ahead of the recent NATO summit in The Hague.
This acquisition paves the way for the Royal Air Force (RAF) to reintroduce so-called dual-capable aircraft (DCA) – warplanes designed to carry both conventional and atomic payloads. By operating DCA, Britain is positioned to more fully integrate into NATO’s airborne nuclear mission alongside seven other alliance members, including the United States, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
Integrating into NATO’s Airborne Nuclear Mission
The NATO airborne nuclear mission involves European partner nations using their aircraft and pilots to deliver American B-61 nuclear bombs if required. While European forces would operate the aircraft, the United States retains ultimate command and control over the release of these atomic weapons.
For the UK, this represents a notable shift. Since retiring its air-dropped atomic bombs in 1998, the country’s nuclear deterrent has relied solely on submarine-launched missiles carried by the Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class submarines. Reintroducing an air-launched capability diversifies Britain’s deterrent methods and aligns the UK more closely with allies like the US, which maintains a nuclear “triad” of land, sea, and air-based platforms.
The newly acquired F-35A variant is particularly suited for this role, designed to potentially carry B61 gravity bombs – a type of lower-yield, air-dropped nuclear munition integrated into the air forces of the US and some NATO members. Germany, for instance, has also committed to acquiring the F-35A for similar nuclear-sharing purposes.
The UK already operates a fleet of F-35B jets, a variant known for its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities. Britain is currently completing its first procurement batch of 48 F-35Bs, with over 30 already delivered. The F-35A, however, offers greater range and can carry more weapons compared to its STOVL counterpart, making it the preferred platform for the dual-capable role. Overall, Britain plans to purchase a total of 138 F-35 aircraft throughout the program.
Evidence Points to Potential Return of US Nuclear Bombs
The purchase of these dual-capable F-35As strongly suggests the potential return of American nuclear bombs to the UK, which have not been stationed in the country since 2008. While the UK government has stated the new F-35As will be based at RAF Marham, other evidence points towards the possible re-establishment of US nuclear weapons storage at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
Indicators observed in recent years include the UK’s addition to NATO’s list of nuclear weapons storage locations receiving infrastructure upgrades under a multimillion-dollar program. Furthermore, US Air Force budget documents from 2023 requested funding for a dormitory at RAF Lakenheath, citing the need to house increased personnel due to a “surety mission” – Pentagon terminology widely understood to refer to the handling and security of nuclear weapons.
Historically, US nuclear weapons were stationed at RAF Lakenheath until their withdrawal in 2007, and the storage facilities there were mothballed rather than dismantled. The modernization of the B61 bomb to the B61-12 version, capable of being carried by the F-35A, and the planned basing of nuclear-capable F-35As with the 495th Fighter Squadron at Lakenheath, further support the likelihood of a US nuclear mission returning to the base. While the UK Ministry of Defence maintains a policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons, these developments are considered significant evidence by experts.
A Response to Rising Global Threats
Prime Minister Starmer justified these measures by citing “an era of radical uncertainty” where “we can no longer take peace for granted.” Defence officials have framed the potential return of air-delivered nuclear capabilities as a response to a “new era of threat,” particularly from Russia, noting “seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict” and rising nuclear risks. This strategic shift is part of a broader, multi-billion-pound overhaul of the UK’s nuclear posture, which also includes developing new warheads, replacing the Vanguard-class submarines by the next decade, and pursuing nuclear fuel self-sufficiency.
The decision to integrate more deeply into NATO’s airborne nuclear mission was strongly welcomed by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who hailed it as “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.” Alliance leaders at the recent NATO summit are expected to agree to a substantial increase in defense spending, potentially reaching up to 5% of gross domestic product, underscoring the alliance’s response to the evolving security landscape.
