The UK is to purchase 12 U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets, capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, in a sweeping overhaul of the country’s defense strategy.
Under the plans, Britain will join NATO’s airborne nuclear mission, and the F-35A jets are expected to carry U.S. atomic bombs, as the military alliance contends with the growing threat of Russia.
The UK government’s purchase of the aircraft marks a significant expansion of the country’s nuclear deterrent. Currently, Britain can only launch nuclear weapons from its Vanguard class submarines, which carry them on Trident ballistic missiles.
