UK to Acquire Nuclear-Capable F-35As, Expanding Nuclear Arsenal

The United Kingdom has announced plans to procure at least a dozen stealth fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads. This represents a significant shift in the UK's nuclear capabilities, marking the first time since 1998 that the nation will possess air-launched nuclear weapons. The chosen aircraft is the US-made F-35A, a fifth-generation fighter jet.

The F-35A, operated by several countries including the United States, South Korea, and Australia, will be flown by the Royal Air Force. This variant is lighter and slightly larger than the UK's existing F-35Bs. The A model offers a larger payload capacity, enabling it to carry more weaponry. Furthermore, the F-35A boasts a greater range compared to the B variant, a factor considered crucial by many experts.

The F-35A has a range of nearly 1,400 miles and a combat range of approximately 679 miles. In contrast, the F-35B has a range of around 1,035 miles and a combat radius of approximately 517 miles. While the F-35As based at RAF Marham, Norfolk, may not reach NATO's eastern flank without refueling, air-to-air refueling, a regular practice for the RAF, can significantly extend their operational reach. The primary reason for the government's investment in the F-35A lies in its payload capacity, which is 3,000lb greater than the F-35B, and its ability to carry US B61-12 gravity bombs, a capability the F-35B lacks.

The government has confirmed that the RAF's F-35As will participate in NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) program, a key component of the alliance's nuclear deterrence strategy. The UK joins seven other allies in this nuclear sharing arrangement. The program involves the US deploying a limited number of B61s to European locations, remaining under US control. In the event of a NATO nuclear mission, these weapons can be deployed by certified DCA aircraft. The B61 is classified as a tactical, or substrategic, nuclear weapon, designed for specific battlefield applications.