UK Orders F-35A Fighter Jets to Strengthen NATO Nuclear Umbrella
The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed an order for 12 F-35A fighter jets to support NATO’s nuclear deterrence forces.
The UK Ministry of Defence reported on this.
The new fighter jets will not be part of an expansion of the initial program but will replace 12 F-35B aircraft originally planned for purchase as part of the 138-jet procurement program.
The main reason behind this decision was the expansion of the United Kingdom’s role in nuclear deterrence forces, both nationally and as part of NATO’s “nuclear umbrella.”
“In an age of radical uncertainty, we can no longer take peace for granted. That is why my government is investing in national security — equipping our Armed Forces with what they need and ensuring communities across the country benefit from the dividends of defence,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated.
The F-35A jets being procured will serve, among other roles, as carriers of U.S.-made B61 nuclear bombs. Unlike the F-35B version, the F-35A has been certified to deploy these weapons from land-based airfields.
The Ministry of Defence also noted that acquiring the F-35A will not negatively impact the logistical support of the aircraft fleet. On the contrary, by forgoing the additional systems required for short takeoff and vertical landing (as found in the F-35B), the unit cost of each aircraft will be reduced by approximately 25%.
The program is also expected to support 20,000 jobs across the UK. Over 100 British suppliers, including BAE Systems, Cobham, GE Aviation, Honeywell, Martin-Baker, MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK, Ultra Electronics, and EDM Limited, will contribute to its implementation.
It’s worth noting that, according to initial plans, the United Kingdom intended to purchase only the F-35B version, which, if necessary, could operate from the country’s two aircraft carriers.
However, the F-35B was not certified to carry nuclear bombs due to restrictions introduced in the 1990s. Under those agreements, carrier-based aircraft and surface ships were prohibited from being equipped with nuclear weapons. This is the key reason behind the decision to procure the F-35A version instead.
Additionally, a major advantage for NATO is that all F-35A fighter jets can technically deploy B61 nuclear bombs. This capability will allow for broader integration of Allied air forces into NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission in the future.
Militarnyi previously reported that U.S. nuclear weapons could return to the United Kingdom for the first time in nearly two decades. The decision to restore nuclear capability for U.S. aircraft stationed in Britain was made back in 2021, according to reports, and the proposals gained momentum after Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.
