UK Plans Buy 12 Nuclear-Capable F-35 Jets to Strengthen NATO Deterrent

At the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague, the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced the purchase of twelve US-made F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, marking a major shift by reinstating a nuclear role for the Royal Air Force for the first time since the Cold War. This move strengthens Britain's nuclear deterrent beyond its submarine fleet and aligns with NATO's collective strategy to enhance defense capabilities amid growing threats, including Russian aggression and nuclear proliferation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the UK's decision as a significant contribution to the alliance's nuclear deterrent, while President Donald Trump has pushed for increased European defense spending and attended the summit amid regional tensions. The F-35As, costing around $80 million each, are planned to be equipped with US B61-12 nuclear bombs, which possess triple the destructive power of the Hiroshima bomb. Starmer emphasized the need to protect the Euro-Atlantic region for future generations in an era of marked uncertainty. The UK government also highlighted that the F-35 program supports about 20,000 jobs domestically, reflecting broader economic as well as security interests.