THE HAGUE – The United Kingdom has announced its plans to purchase 12 F-35 fighter jets from the United States. These aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear weapons and represent a significant enhancement of the country’s nuclear deterrent capabilities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared this decision on Wednesday.
The government called it “the biggest strengthening of the U.K.’s nuclear posture in a generation.”
The announcement was made by Starmer during his participation in a NATO summit held in the Netherlands. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised the move, describing it as a strong contribution by the U.K. to the alliance.
In the 1990s, the United Kingdom ceased the use of air-dropped nuclear weapons following the conclusion of the Cold War era. Since then, the country has relied on submarine-based missiles as part of its nuclear arsenal.
Only three NATO members – the U.S., Britain and France – are nuclear powers, while seven nations contribute to the alliance’s nuclear mission by contributing jets that can carry either conventional or weapons or American B61 bombs stockpiled in Europe.
The use of nuclear weapons by the U.K. as part of the mission would require the authorization of the alliance’s nuclear planning group as well as the U.S. president and British prime minister.
Starmer also announced that the U.K. will provide 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by 70 million pounds ($95 million) raised from interest on seized Russian assets.
The announcements come as the U.K. and other NATO members pledge to increase spending on security to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035. The total includes 3.5% on defense and another 1.5% on broader security and resilience efforts.
The U.K. currently spends 2.3% of national income on defense and says that will rise to 2.6% by 2027.
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