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The UK plans to purchase 12 US-made F-35 stealth fighters that can carry nuclear weapons in a drastic overhaul of the country’s defense strategy.
Under this plan, the UK will take part in NATO’s core airborne mission, with the F-35A jet being expected to carry the American atomic bomb.
The UK government’s purchasing aircraft indicates a significant expansion of the country’s nuclear deterrent. Currently, the UK is able to launch nuclear weapons from Vanguard-class submarines.
British Prime Minister Kielstama will announce the acquisition of the F-35A Jets at the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday. President Donald Trump hopes to increase spending on defense for European members of the Alliance.
In an age of priorities, we can no longer make peace the norm. That’s why my government is investing in our national security, ensuring that our troops have the equipment they need and that our domestic communities benefit from the dividends of our defense. ”
The F-35 jet is made by Lockheed Martin in the US, but the key components are manufactured in the UK.
The NATO summit is likely to be controversial due to Trump’s demand that European members of the alliance increase their defensive spending to 5% of GDP.
NATO Executive Director Mark Latte plans to allocate 3.5% of GDP to core military spending, and by 2035, it plans to fill the European capacity gap of 1.5% in areas such as cyber and infrastructure.
Latte praised the UK’s commitment to purchasing the F-35A jet. “For decades, the UK has declared nuclear deterrent to NATO. We strongly welcome the UK to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission and procure the F-35A ().”
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The British purchase will restore the role of atoms to the Royal Air Force for the first time as the country retired from nuclear weapons at the end of the Cold War.
The F-35A is capable of carrying both nuclear and traditional weapons, with the new jet being based in Raf Marham, Norfolk.
The UK already operates dozens of F-35B jets, particularly from two British Navy aircraft carriers, but it cannot carry nuclear weapons.
The government said it is committed to purchasing a total of 138 F-35s.
