DefenseUK revives nuclear air strike capability with purchase of 12 F-35A fighters
The UK government has confirmed it will purchase 12 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, reintroducing an airborne nuclear strike capability to its defense arsenal for the first time since the Cold War.
The announcement, made during the NATO summit in The Hague, positions the UK to join the alliance’s Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) program -designed for NATO countries that host U.S. B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs.
The F-35As will be stationed at RAF Marham in Norfolk and will complement the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force’s current fleet of F-35B STOVL aircraft. Unlike the B variant, the F-35A is wired for nuclear delivery, making it compatible with NATO’s shared deterrence posture.
The acquisition is part of a long-term British plan to operate 138 F-35s, as reiterated in the government’s official announcement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of “not taking peace for granted” in an increasingly unstable world, while highlighting the economic benefits of the deal, expected to support over 20,000 jobs and more than 100 UK-based suppliers.
WE.177 nuclear bomb
This new capability revives a function once fulfilled by the WE.177 nuclear bomb, which was retired in 1998.
The WE.177 had been operated by both the Royal Navy and RAF, mounted on aircraft like the Tornado and Harrier, and even deployed aboard naval helicopters. Its removal left the UK solely reliant on the submarine-based Trident system for nuclear deterrence.
The decision to join NATO’s DCA mission reflects a more diversified deterrent posture, aligning with the UK’s latest Strategic Defence Review, which underscores growing threats from states like Russia and China.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised the move as “a strong contribution to the alliance’s shared security.”
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