Britain Expected to Arm Fighter Jets with Nuclear Weapons
In a move that could significantly bolster the UK’s nuclear deterrent, the government is exploring the potential return of air-delivered nuclear weapons, according to a report in The Sunday Times. This development is seen as a response to the "new era of threat" posed by Russia, and has the backing of senior officials, including Defence Secretary John Healey and Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
The proposal, which is said to be the most significant shift in the UK’s nuclear posture since the end of the Cold War, involves the acquisition of F-35A Lightning II aircraft capable of carrying tactical gravity nuclear bombs. This move would diversify the UK’s delivery options and align Britain more closely with NATO allies such as the United States, which maintains land, sea, and air-based nuclear platforms. The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is also understood to support the option, which forms part of the wider Strategic Defence Review to be announced on Monday.
At present, the UK’s nuclear deterrent relies solely on the Trident submarine-based system. However, introducing air-launched capabilities would provide a flexible option for NATO, offering the ability to respond decisively to a limited nuclear strike without immediate escalation to strategic-level retaliation. According to The Sunday Times, the UK government is weighing the benefits of lower-yield, air-delivered nuclear weapons as a potential deterrent response to Russia’s escalatory threats.
Defence Secretary John Healey has warned that "the world is definitely becoming more dangerous," adding that "nuclear risks are rising" and that for the first time in a generation, "we face seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict." Speaking to The Times, Healey emphasised the need for the UK to adapt to the changing threat landscape, and suggested that air-launched nuclear capabilities could be a key component of this approach.
The American-made F-35A variant is designed to carry B61 gravity bombs—a type of low-yield, air-dropped nuclear munition already integrated into US and some NATO air forces. Germany, for instance, recently committed to acquiring the platform for similar nuclear-sharing purposes under NATO’s deterrence umbrella. Although the Strategic Defence Review is not expected to commit explicitly to air-launched nuclear systems, it will recommend enhancing the UK’s contribution to NATO’s shared deterrent and maintaining industrial readiness for rearmament.
The development has significant implications for the UK’s nuclear posture, and raises questions about the potential risks and benefits of air-launched nuclear capabilities. As UK Defence Journal has previously reported, the UK’s nuclear deterrent is a critical component of its national security strategy, and any changes to its posture are likely to have far-reaching consequences. According to sources cited in The Sunday Times, the proposal has the backing of senior officials, and is seen as a necessary response to the changing threat landscape.
In conclusion, the UK’s potential acquisition of air-launched nuclear capabilities marks a significant shift in its nuclear posture, and has major implications for European security. As the Strategic Defence Review is announced, it remains to be seen how the UK government will choose to proceed, but one thing is clear: the UK’s nuclear deterrent is about to undergo a significant transformation.
Further reading on this topic can be found on UK Defence Journal, which first reported on this story and has provided in-depth analysis of the potential implications of this development.
Sources:
The Sunday Times: Britain explores return of air-delivered nuclear weapons.
UK Defence Journal: Britain expected to arm fighter jets with nuclear weapons.
