UK to reintroduce nuclear weapon-capable aircraft under Nato
UK to purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons
Britain will reintroduce fighter jets capable of carrying atomic weapons to support Nato’s nuclear mission, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said, as he prepares for a Nato summit Wednesday.
The country will purchase 12 nuclear weapon-capable F-35A fighters, expanding the country’s deterrence arsenal, which is currently limited to submarine-launched missiles.
“These F-35 dual capable aircraft will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter hostile threats that threaten the UK and our Allies,” Starmer said in a statement on Tuesday.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte was quoted in the statement as saying: “I strongly welcome today’s announcement”, calling it “yet another robust British contribution to Nato”.
Downing Street described it as the “biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation”, adding that Starmer would announce the plan at the summit on Wednesday.
Since the end of the Cold War, British nuclear deterrence within the Atlantic alliance was provided solely by missiles aboard Royal Navy submarines.