UK to purchase F-35A fighter jets for tactical nuclear weapons capability

The UK will buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.

The British government announced plans to purchase a dozen F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, marking the largest expansion of its nuclear deterrent in decades.

This move will restore Britain’s air-launched nuclear capability for the first time since 1998 and Britain would be able to diversify its military options and align more closely with NATO allies such as France, and the United States, which maintains land, sea, and air-based nuclear capabilities.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said "this is yet another robust British contribution to NATO."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the investment reflects growing global uncertainties and the need to strengthen national security amid rising threats from Russia and shifting U.S. commitments in Europe.

"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 Keir Starmer said in a statement.

The purchase of the fighter jets is expected to support around 20,000 jobs and help the UK meet NATO’s defence spending target of 5% of GDP by 2035.

Currently, Britain's nuclear deterrent rests solely on the Trident submarine-based system, which misfired during a test last year, the second successive test failure after one veered off course in 2016.

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