US Sends Nuclear Weapons to the UK Amid Rising Tensions with Russia

The US has recently sent B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs to British territory, marking the first such deployment in over ten years. This action aligns with President Donald Trump's ongoing 50-day ultimatum directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to cease hostilities in Ukraine. Reports indicate that multiple B61-12 bombs were delivered to RAF Lakenheath, where a new storage facility for these weapons has been established amid protests against their presence.

These B61-12 bombs, which weigh around 320kg, can yield explosive force significantly exceeding that of the Fat Man bomb dropped on Nagasaki during World War II. The deployment of these nuclear weapons to the UK signals the return of a US nuclear deterrent to British soil, a practice that had ended in 2008 when approximately 110 warheads were withdrawn, concluding a 54-year period of US nuclear presence in the UK that began during the Cold War.

Currently, the US Department of Defense has not verified this deployment, and it's unlikely that the UK's Ministry of Defence will disclose details about the nuclear arsenal's location. F-35A Lightning II fighter jets stationed at Lakenheath, operated by the 493rd and 495th Fighter Squadrons, have the capability to carry the B61-12 bombs. This deployment provides the UK with an additional nuclear deterrent, complementing its Vanguard-class submarines, which are armed with a total of 40 warheads.

Although the UK has a history of possessing a nuclear air force, this was phased out in 1998 in favor of a continuous at-sea deterrent strategy. The Royal Air Force had previously been equipped to deploy the British-developed WE.177 nuclear bombs in response to nuclear attacks. The UK's decision this past June to procure an additional 12 F-35A fighter jets reaffirmed its commitment to NATO’s dual-capable aircraft program, which reinforces continental security and indicates a move to reinstate a nuclear role within the RAF.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the changed security climate, asserting that in times of "radical uncertainty," investing in national security is essential to ensure that the armed forces are adequately equipped. The transfer of these nuclear weapons follows President Trump's warnings to Russia, which have gone largely disregarded as the country escalates its attacks on Ukrainian civilians with drones and missiles.