However, the move appears to be designed to reassure European allies that reduced conventional military support does not mean Washington is stepping back entirely from its security commitment to the continent<\/a>.<\/p>\n It could allow more countries to host US dual-capable aircraft under Nato\u2019s nuclear sharing programme.<\/p>\n Currently, the UK, Belgium, Turkey, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands are approved to host these aircraft accompanied by \u201cforward-deployed\u201d tactical nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n These smaller bombs are designed to be used on the battlefield, as opposed to the long-range strategic missiles, which are powerful enough to obliterate entire cities thousands of miles away.<\/p>\n The US has had tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Europe since 1954 under plans drawn up at the height of the Cold War.<\/p>\n 1712 Where nuclear weapons are stationed in Europe<\/p>\n The bombs are stored at European bases protected by American forces and only usable at the behest of Washington.<\/p>\n The programme was designed to offer greater protection to non-nuclear allies without them acquiring their own bombs.<\/p>\n European militaries operating nuclear-capable aircraft, such as the F-35A and F-15, often join US-led exercises to practice using the bombs under the command of Washington.<\/p>\n Deploying more nuclear weapons to Europe would match the proposals for a Nato 3.0 by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon official reviewing American force posture around the world.<\/p>\n He has proposed removing troops and non-nuclear weapon systems from Europe to be refocused on the Indo-Pacific region.<\/p>\n This shift in strategy has led to 5,000 American troops being withdrawn from Germany<\/a> and plans to deploy long-range Tomahawk missiles in the country also pulled.<\/p>\n But while European countries would be expected to ramp up their conventional defences against Russia, Washington would continue to extend its nuclear umbrella across the continent.<\/p>\n After a recent Nato meeting, Mark Rutte, the alliance\u2019s secretary-general, said: \u201cWith the common understanding that whilst the US will pivot more towards other theatres, that the overall deterrence and defence in Europe has to stay the same.\u201d<\/p>\n Countries such as Poland and the Baltic states, which border Russia, are understood to be interested in hosting any additional weapons.<\/p>\n However, the deployments are not expected to be imminent.<\/p>\n France is also holding talks with allies about possibly hosting its own tactical nuclear weapons<\/a> at foreign bases for the first time.<\/p>\n Germany, Sweden and Poland have discussed the unprecedented negotiations with Emmanuel Macron, the French president.<\/p>\n![\"1712](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/86b9cb182036c70ac1b28f96d4b501c5.jpeg\"\/)
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