UK Buys 12 Nuclear-Capable F35A Jets in £700m Defence Boost

The UK government has announced the purchase of 12 nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets from the US, marking the first time since the Cold War that the Royal Air Force will have the ability to carry nuclear warheads. These jets, costing around £85 million each, will be based at RAF Marham and complement the Royal Navy's carrier-based F-35Bs, offering greater versatility, range, and nuclear deterrence capabilities. The F-35As will carry US B61-12 nuclear bombs, which remain under US control, and any deployment requires approval from both the US President Donald Trump and the British Prime Minister under NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the move as necessary in an era of “radical uncertainty” to strengthen UK and NATO security, supporting thousands of UK jobs in the defense sector. However, critics argue that this decision increases nuclear risks, potentially places Britain on the frontline of US-led conflicts, and diverts funds from public services, while also breaching the UK's obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The acquisition aims to bolster the UK's nuclear posture amid rising global threats from Russia, China, and their allies, coinciding with efforts at the NATO summit to secure commitments to collective defense under Article Five.