London, June 26 - The United Kingdom has announced a significant enhancement to its defense capabilities with the acquisition of 12 U.S.-made F-35A stealth fighter jets, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, marking a pivotal shift in its nuclear strategy. This decision, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 24, 2025, during the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, is described by the government as the most substantial strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation. The move reintroduces an airborne nuclear strike capability to the Royal Air Force (RAF) for the first time since the retirement of its nuclear-capable Tornado bombers in the 1990s, signaling a response to heightened global security concerns, particularly in light of escalating tensions with Russia.
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The F-35A Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is distinct from the F-35B variant currently operated by the RAF and Royal Navy, which is designed for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) and lacks nuclear weapon compatibility. The F-35A, a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft, is uniquely equipped to carry the U.S.-produced B61-12 free-fall nuclear bomb, making it integral to NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) mission. This mission involves allied aircraft deploying American nuclear warheads stockpiled in Europe, with seven NATO members, including Germany and Italy, already participating. The UK’s entry into this mission enhances NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture, aligning it more closely with allies like the United States and France, the latter two being nuclear powers alongside Britain within the alliance. The use of these nuclear weapons requires authorization from NATO’s nuclear planning group, the U.S. president, and the British prime minister, ensuring stringent oversight.
The new jets will be stationed at RAF Marham in Norfolk, complementing the existing fleet of 35 F-35B jets operated by squadrons such as 617 Squadron ‘Dambusters’ and 809 Naval Air Squadron ‘The Immortals’. The UK has a long-term plan to procure 138 F-35s, and the choice of the F-35A over additional F-35Bs is expected to yield cost savings of up to 25% per aircraft, with each jet priced at approximately £80 million, totaling just under £1 billion for the 12 planes. This acquisition is projected to sustain over 20,000 jobs in the UK, involving more than 100 companies, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Leonardo UK, which contribute components to the F-35 program. The decision also aligns with broader defense commitments outlined in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, published on June 2, 2025, which emphasized enhancing nuclear infrastructure, including the development of four new Dreadnought-class submarines and a £15 billion sovereign warhead program.
This strategic shift diversifies the UK’s nuclear deterrence, which has relied solely on submarine-based Trident ballistic missiles since the Cold War’s end. The F-35A’s ability to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons provides greater flexibility, allowing the UK to respond to a range of threats in an era described by Starmer as one of “radical global uncertainty.” The jets, with a range of 2,200 km compared to the F-35B’s 1,700 km, enhance the RAF’s operational reach. While the UK does not possess its own air-launched nuclear warheads, the F-35As will utilize U.S. B61 bombs, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to NATO’s collective defense while addressing concerns about potential reductions in U.S. support under future administrations. This acquisition underscores the UK’s intent to maintain a credible deterrent amid evolving geopolitical challenges.