The Western defence alliance NATO plans to expand nuclear deterrence in Europe in light of the ongoing threats from Russia under President Vladimir Putin, according to information obtained by dpa.
This includes considerations whether to deploy additional US nuclear weapons in Europe.
According to experts, the United States might have already transferred B61-12 bombs to the British air base at Lakenheath.
Should the security situation deteriorate further, NATO countries located closer to Russia, including Poland, Finland and Lithuania, could also be considered as additional basing locations.
The plans primarily involve so-called non-strategic nuclear weapons. Such bombs are intended for use against enemy troops, airfields, ports, command centres and other military infrastructure.
Compared with strategic nuclear weapons, they often have a lower explosive yield and are usually delivered by fighter jets, shorter-range missiles and cruise missiles.
Following the large-scale nuclear disarmament that took place after the end of the Cold War, roughly 100 B61-12 bombs remained in storage at six air force bases in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey, according to estimates by nuclear experts.
NATO aims to be able to respond to a nuclear attack
In an interview with dpa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte did not rule out that more US nuclear weapons could be stationed in Europe in future.
However, he declined to comment on the details of the ongoing reviews and consultations for reasons of confidentiality.
Rutte said in the interview conducted in mid-July that NATO was continuously assessing what capabilities were required and what the alliance’s nuclear deterrence mix should look like.