The United Kingdom has announced its intention to purchase at least 12 F-35A fighter jets, a decision that will reintroduce air-delivered nuclear strike capability to the Royal Air Force for the first time since 1998. Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled this significant shift at a NATO summit in The Hague, characterizing it as "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation."
These new jets are set to integrate into NATO's dual-capable aircraft nuclear mission, extending Britain's nuclear deterrent beyond its current submarine-based arsenal. This aligns the UK with other NATO allies like Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey, who are part of similar nuclear-sharing arrangements. The F-35A aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin, are distinct from the F-35B jets already operated by Britain due to their capacity to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. The new squadron will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
Commenting on the current geopolitical climate, Prime Minister Starmer stated, "In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted." NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte lauded the announcement, calling it "yet another robust British contribution to NATO."
The F-35A's nuclear capability was officially certified in October 2023, allowing it to carry the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb. This made it the first stealth fighter to achieve nuclear weapons delivery certification, a milestone reached ahead of schedule.
This procurement also coincides with a broader agreement among NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. This commitment comes in response to rising global tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and aligns with calls from figures like President Donald Trump for greater allied contributions to collective defense.
Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey highlighted that the recent Strategic Defense Review identified "new nuclear risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying their nuclear arsenals." The government also emphasized the economic benefits of this acquisition, noting potential savings of up to 25% per aircraft compared to the F-35B variant, while simultaneously supporting over 20,000 jobs across Britain.
The reintroduction of air-launched nuclear capabilities represents a reversal of Britain's post-Cold War nuclear strategy, which, following the retirement of the Tornado aircraft in 1998, had solely relied on the Royal Navy's submarine fleet for nuclear deterrence. Heloise Fayet, a nuclear specialist at the French Institute of International Relations, observed that this move underscores "the continued re-nuclearisation of Europe" and "the renewed need for nuclear weapons" in response to perceived Russian threats. These new jets are part of Britain's broader plan to acquire a total of 138 F-35 aircraft over the program's lifetime.
