Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has unveiled plans to purchase at least a dozen F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons marking what officials describe as the United Kingdom’s most significant upgrade to its nuclear posture in a generation.
The announcement, set to be formally presented by Starmer at the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday, represents a major evolution in the UK’s defense strategy.
It would mark the first time since the Cold War that British aircraft are capable of delivering nuclear weapons, reintroducing a dual-platform deterrence alongside the nation’s existing submarine-launched missile arsenal.
“In an era of radical uncertainty, we can no longer take peace for granted,” Starmer said in a statement released by Downing Street. “These F-35 dual-capable aircraft will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter hostile threats that threaten the UK and our Allies.”
The F-35A, manufactured by US defence giant Lockheed Martin, is already in use by several NATO members including the United States, Germany, and Italy. Unlike the F-35B currently operated by the UK, the A variant can be outfitted with B61 nuclear warheads part of NATO’s broader “nuclear sharing” strategy.
The jets will be stationed at RAF Marham in Norfolk, and their acquisition is expected to reinforce Britain’s industrial defense base, supporting around 20,000 domestic jobs. The UK currently plays a significant role in the F-35 program, supplying 15% of its global components.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the move, calling it “yet another robust British contribution to NATO,” as alliance members prepare to approve a sharp increase in defense spending targets from 2% to 5% of GDP amid mounting geopolitical risks, particularly the ongoing threat posed by Russia.
The UK has already committed to meeting the new target and recently announced large-scale investments in naval capabilities and domestic arms production. The expanded military posture is widely seen as a response to past criticisms from Washington, particularly under former President Donald Trump, who accused European allies of failing to carry their financial weight in NATO.
Germany has also joined the trend, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz declaring that Berlin will boost its military spending to build “Europe’s strongest conventional army.”
With the reintroduction of air-delivered nuclear capability, Britain joins a growing number of NATO countries reinforcing their deterrence measures, signaling a clear shift toward Cold War-era readiness in the face of modern threats.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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