Britain is seeking to acquire American nuclear-capable fighter jets to counter Putin’s growing threat, marking the most significant shift in UK nuclear deterrence strategy since the Cold War.
Key Takeaways
- Britain is in talks with the U.S. to purchase F-35A Lightning stealth fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons as a direct response to increased Russian aggression
- The acquisition would establish a second pillar to Britain’s nuclear deterrent, complementing the submarine-based Trident missile system
- Defence Secretary John Healey and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin are spearheading this initiative as part of a broader strategy to increase UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027
- The jets would operate under NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangements, allowing Britain to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in scenarios short of full-scale nuclear war
- The Strategic Defence Review 2025, set to be published Monday, is expected to emphasize a “NATO-first” defense policy and significant rearmament
Britain’s Nuclear Strategy Shift
In a significant strategic shift, Britain is actively pursuing American-made fighter jets capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The initiative, led by Defence Secretary John Healey and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, aims to acquire Lockheed Martin’s F-35A Lightning stealth fighters that can carry B61 thermonuclear gravity bombs. This acquisition would represent the most substantial change to Britain’s nuclear deterrent strategy since the Cold War era, adding an air-launched capability to complement the existing submarine-based Trident system. The move comes with full support from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and follows discussions with Pentagon officials.
“The world is definitely becoming more dangerous. Nuclear risks are rising. We face now, for the first time since the end of the Cold War, seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict,” said Healey, Secretary of State for Defence
Under the proposed arrangement, Britain would likely utilize American nuclear weapons through NATO’s nuclear-sharing provisions. This would enable the UK to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in scenarios that fall short of full-scale nuclear war—a capability it currently lacks. The F-35A Lightning has impressive specifications, including a range exceeding 1,350 miles and the ability to carry up to 18,000 pounds of ordnance, including the B61-12 thermonuclear bombs that form part of America’s nuclear arsenal.
Responding to Putin’s Nuclear Threats
The primary driver behind Britain’s pursuit of nuclear-capable fighter jets is the escalating threat posed by Russia under Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin’s increasingly aggressive nuclear posturing and its willingness to engage in conventional warfare in Europe have forced NATO allies to reassess their defense strategies. Britain’s current nuclear deterrent relies exclusively on the Trident missile system deployed by Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines. While effective as a strategic deterrent, this system lacks the flexibility needed for responding to tactical nuclear threats.
“Years of strategic neglect have left our forces stretched thin and limited in size. We are underprepared to respond to the worsening global threat environment, and in particular to meet the very real and growing threat from Russia,” said Lord De Mauley.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has expressed support for diversifying Britain’s nuclear delivery methods, stating: “I recently called for our deterrent to be strengthened by diversifying how we deliver nuclear weapons, so I welcome the commitment to reintroduce air-launch capabilities.” This bipartisan backing suggests a national consensus on the importance of enhancing Britain’s nuclear deterrent in the face of growing threats from adversaries like Russia.
NATO-First Defense Strategy
The upcoming Strategic Defence Review 2025, scheduled for publication on Monday, is expected to outline a comprehensive “NATO-first” defense policy. This review will likely recommend expanding Britain’s role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework and propose significant rearmament across multiple domains. Prime Minister Starmer has already committed to increasing Britain’s defense budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, signaling a serious financial commitment to bolstering the nation’s military capabilities in response to the changing security environment.
“I want to make a wider point though on our nuclear deterrent which is this: For nearly 70 years, our U.K. nuclear deterrent has been the guarantor of our U.K. security—it’s what Putin fears most. And the threats we face in the future, mean we will always have to do what we need to defend the country, and strong deterrence is absolutely essential in order to keep Britain and the British people safe,” said John Healey, Secretary of State for Defence.
While the Ministry of Defence has not publicly confirmed the purchase of nuclear-capable fighter jets, officials have pointedly refused to rule it out. Healey himself stated, “Those sorts of discussions are not conducted in public and certainly not with a running commentary.” This approach aligns with Britain’s traditional discretion regarding nuclear matters while still signaling to adversaries that significant upgrades to the country’s deterrent capabilities are underway. The acquisition of F-35A fighters would mirror similar moves by Germany, strengthening NATO’s collective nuclear posture across Europe.
