Nuclear warhead equipped fighter jets to be bought by UK
The British government is set to acquire 12 new nuclear warhead equipped fighter jets, allowing it to join NATO’s airborne nuclear mission. This move is set to be “the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation,” according to Downing Street.
The F-35 A jets will still be capable of carrying conventional weapons but will now have the option of being equipped with American-made nuclear warheads. The Prime Minister is set to announce the decision at the NATO summit in the Netherlands.
NATO’s airbone nuclear mission would involve aircraft being equipped with US-made B61 bombs stockpiled in Europe. A number of other countries, including America, Italy, and Germany, are already using the dual-capability jets.
Using a nuclear warhead would need authorisation from NATO’s nuclear planning group as well as both the president of the US and the Prime Minister of the UK. Stocks of B61 bombs have already been pre-positioned by the US. This, Justin Bronk of think tank, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) says, would allow the US to continue to control the release and use of the weapons in the event of a war, something that could prove contentious with Downing Street relying on Washington.
“In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security,” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said
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