UK to Purchase Nuclear-Capable F-35 Jets Amid Rising Global Tensions

The British government announced on June 24 that it will acquire 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, marking the nation's largest expansion of nuclear deterrence capabilities in a generation.

The move represents the first time in decades that the Royal Air Force (RAF) will regain the ability to deploy air-based nuclear weapons. The UK last operated nuclear-armed aircraft in 1998, when it retired the WE-177 free-fall bombs.

“In this profoundly unstable era, we can no longer take peace for granted,” said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “That’s why my government is investing in national security.”

The new aircraft will be capable of carrying the U.S.-made B61 tactical nuclear bomb and are part of Britain’s broader defense modernization strategy. A senior UK defense official confirmed that London may need to coordinate with Washington for the acquisition of these weapons to fully equip the new F-35As.

The decision is expected to create 20,000 jobs and signals the UK’s deepening commitment to NATO. The F-35As would also allow the UK to contribute to NATO’s nuclear-capable air fleet, ready for deployment in the event of a large-scale conflict. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the move, calling it “another significant contribution” to the alliance’s collective security.

Tactical nuclear weapons like the B61 are designed for battlefield use and are smaller in yield than strategic nuclear warheads, which are intended for long-range attacks against major infrastructure or population centers.

Until now, the UK’s nuclear deterrence has relied solely on its Vanguard-class submarines, each equipped with up to 16 Trident D5 missiles capable of striking targets up to 12,000 km away. However, Britain’s submarine-based deterrence has faced setbacks, including a failed Trident missile test in January 2024 — the second such failure since 2016.

The addition of nuclear-capable F-35As will enhance the UK’s military flexibility and bring its nuclear posture more in line with allies like France and the United States, which maintain nuclear delivery capabilities by land, sea, and air.

The U.S. removed its nuclear weapons from the UK in 2008, as Cold War-era threats began to recede. But with the geopolitical climate once again growing volatile, London is boosting defense spending and upgrading its armed forces — particularly its submarine fleet — in anticipation of potential future conflicts.

The UK has pledged to raise its defense and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2025, in line with NATO goals. On June 24, Prime Minister Starmer’s administration also warned that Britain must “actively prepare” for the possibility of war on European soil.

(Source: Reuters)

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