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<\/p>\nIn the lead-up to the release of the United Kingdom\u2019s new Strategic Defence Review, local reports indicate that the Royal Air Force is negotiating with the United States for the purchase of additional F-35A stealth fighters. The goal is to integrate them into a new plan to expand the UK\u2019s nuclear capability in response to the growing threat posed by Russia. For the RAF, this could mark the return of nuclear-armed aircraft for the first time since the retirement of the WE.177 bombs in 1998\u2014a move that left the UK\u2019s nuclear deterrence solely in the hands of the Royal Navy\u2019s Vanguard-class submarines.<\/p>\n
According to a report published over the weekend by The Sunday Times, Defence Secretary John Healey and Admiral Tony Radakin are said to be interested in acquiring aircraft capable of deploying lower-yield conventional nuclear bombs, as opposed to submarine-launched missiles. These initiatives reportedly already have the approval of Prime Minister Keir Starmer\u2019s administration to move forward with negotiations with the U.S., which are currently underway.<\/p>\n
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It is important to note that the RAF\u2019s preferred platform appears to be the F-35A, as it is the only variant of Lockheed Martin\u2019s fighter currently certified to carry the U.S.-made B61 nuclear bomb. The B61 is also deployed by the U.S. Air Force across Europe. In contrast, the F-35B and Eurofighter Typhoon jets currently in RAF service do not possess this capability.<\/p>\n
However, the control of these nuclear weapons would not lie solely with British command, as is the case with the Royal Navy\u2019s submarines. Instead, they would fall under the existing nuclear sharing program. Historically, this would not be unprecedented: the UK and U.S. have previously collaborated on the exchange of B28, B43, and B57 bombs, as well as PGM-17 Thor and MGM-52 Lance missiles equipped with American warheads.<\/p>\n
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As for a potential deployment site for both the aircraft and the nuclear bombs, analysts suggest RAF Marham as the most likely candidate. It is one of only two British airbases\u2014alongside RAF Lakenheath\u2014that is equipped with the specialized Weapons Storage and Security System (WS3), which allows for the secure storage of nuclear weapons ready for immediate deployment. If chosen, the base would likely require substantial upgrades, having not hosted nuclear arms in over 27 years.<\/p>\n
Finally, in justifying this new course, Secretary Healey stated: \u201cThe world is definitely becoming more dangerous. Nuclear risks are rising. We face now, for the first time since the end of the Cold War, seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict.\u201d In another recent interview, he added: \u201cThis is a message to Moscow as well. This is Britain (\u2026) making our armed forces stronger but making our industrial base stronger, and this is part of our readiness to fight, if required\u201d<\/p>\n
Images used for illustrative purposes only.<\/p>\n