The UK plans to purchase at least 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons and join NATO’s airborne nuclear mission.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to make the announcement Wednesday at the NATO summit in the Netherlands and call on member states to strengthen their commitment to the alliance, according to an official press release.

The F-35A jets are capable of carrying conventional weapons but can also be outfitted with US-made nuclear bombs if needed. The fifth-generation fighter jet, mainly produced by US company Lockheed Martin, ranks among the most advanced aircraft worldwide, though it is also one of the costliest.

“In an era of radical uncertainty, we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security,” Starmer said.

Downing Street described the move as “the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation.”

“The UK’s commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the alliance’s contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure,” Starmer said. “But we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come.”

He also noted that the decision would benefit 100 businesses and secure 20,000 jobs nationwide, marking a “new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force.”

The U.K. says it will buy 12 U.S.-made F35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs and join NATO’s shared airborne nuclear mission

UK says it will buy F-35 jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, arrives for the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, arrives for the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, arrives for the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, arrives for the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The United Kingdom will buy 12 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs and will join NATO’s shared airborne nuclear mission, in a major expansion of its nuclear deterrent, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday.

The government called it “the biggest strengthening of the U.K.’s nuclear posture in a generation.”

Starmer made the announcement while attending a NATO summit in the Netherlands. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the decision, calling it “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”

The U.K. phased out air-dropped atomic weapons in the 1990s after the end of the Cold War. Its nuclear arsenal now consists of submarine-based missiles.

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.

The British government has announced it will purchase 12 new F-35A Lightning II fighter jets to contribute to NATO’s tactical nuclear forces.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is to make the announcement at the NATO summit started on Jun. 24, 2025, that the UK intends to purchase the dual capable aircraft in a move the government has labelled the “Biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation”.

They will carry with them the American B61 nuclear weapon, also carried by F-35s and F-16s currently employed by the German, Dutch, Belgian, Italian and Turkish air forces, with all controlled by NATO’s nuclear planning group, although final say on their deployment rests with the U.S. President. In this instance, the deployment of British aircraft will require the Prime Minister’s approval as well, unlike the current submarine based strategic nuclear deterrent that answers only to the Prime Minister.

The UK has always supported @NATO’s nuclear mission, keeping people across the alliance safe. The UK will purchase 12 F-35A jets, capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The decision will support 20,000 jobs in the UK, with 15% of the global supply chain for the jets based in 🇬🇧 — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 25, 2025

The 12 aircraft are to be based at RAF Marham alongside the UK’s current F-35B force, which will operate 47 aircraft once all deliveries are made, not including the fighter that was lost during the 2021 Carrier Strike Group (CSG). The UK was in negotiations for a further 27 F-35Bs, although nothing had been confirmed. In a press release, the Royal Air Force confirmed that the 12 F-35As will be part of this 27-aircraft order, together with 15 F-35Bs.

Additionally, it appears that the F-35As will be mainly used in a training role on 207 Squadron, the RAF’s Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) for the type, other than the nuclear strike role. The press release explains the reasons for this choice:

As the F-35A carries more fuel than the F-35B variant, it can stay airborne for longer, extending the available training time in each sortie for student pilots. As F-35As also require fewer maintenance hours, there will be increased aircraft availability on the OCU. These factors combined will improve pilot training and reduce the amount of time for pilots to reach the front-line squadrons.

The service also mentions that the new aircraft will support the stand-up of a third front line F-35 Lightning Squadron. With the F-35A complementing the F-35B, the RAF says the new fleet “significantly reduces life-cycle costs, meets operational requirements, and improves F-35 Force Generation for Carrier Strike operations.”

The government has also reaffirmed the UK’s intention to purchase 138 F-35 Lightnings over the course of their service life in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm. This had been in doubt for some time, however the uptick in funding may see all 138 aircraft fielded at some point. This also leaves room for more F-35B orders which the Royal Navy requires to completely fill out its carrier air wing without detracting from training squadrons.

BREAKING: Prime Minister says UK to reacquire tactical nuclear weapons capability. RAF to buy 12 F-35A jets for nuclear role. Sources say these jets could also perform the OCU role (pilot training), freeing up additional F-35Bs for frontline duties. Many complex issues yet… pic.twitter.com/e7Bf1VZkd9 — Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) June 24, 2025

The announcement from the government highlights that the 12 aircraft were originally intended to be B variants, however this was changed with cost savings being highlighted alongside the importance of the nuclear strike role. Capability wise, the F-35A has an increased range owing to the lack of an additional lift fan for short take-off and landing (STOVL) necessary for carrier operations.

This means the RAF will be able to fight further and for longer with additional fuel tanks in their stead. These aircraft could also fulfil a suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD) owing to the stealth features of the F-35 and the possible inclusion of SPEAR 3 and SPEAR EW on the aircraft.

Notably, the adoption of F-35A will require a refit to RAF Voyager tankers which are currently unable to refuel aircraft that require a refueling boom. Several commentators have suggested that the RAF is refueling US Air Force and Israeli Defense Force aircraft in the Middle East, however at the moment this is physically impossible as the RAF Voyager does not possess the capability.

Gaining the B61 and the F-35A will return to the RAF a capability that was lost in 1998 owing to the Peace Dividend following the end of the Cold War. The last weapon in RAF inventory was the WE.177 bomb which was similarly employed for NATO’s tactical strike missions.

The RAF had operated in the Nuclear strike role for 37 years, almost a third of the service’s lifetime, with this being the core role for the RAF following the end of the Second World War. As a result, the return of tactical nuclear weapons to RAF aircraft is a momentous moment for the service. However, it also represents a terrible shift in international politics that this procurement is necessary to strengthen the UK’s and NATO’s security posture.

UK to order 12 F-35A Aircraft to carry nuclear weapons as part of a NATO Nuclear Deterrent. F-35A can carry the B61 Mod 12 Nuclear Bomb which can be used both tactically and strategically. RAF Voyagers will require booms fitted to refuel F-35A while airborne. pic.twitter.com/oerFzmPvaF — UK Forces Tracker (@UKForcesTracker) June 24, 2025

On this issue the Prime Minister stated:

“In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security, ensuring our Armed Forces have the equipment they need and communities up and down the country reap the benefits from our defence dividend. The UK’s commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the Alliance’s contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure, but we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come.”

Additionally, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said:

“The UK has declared its nuclear deterrent to NATO for many decades, ​and I strongly welcome today’s announcement that the UK will now also join NATO’s nuclear mission and procure the F-35A. This is yet another robust British contribution to NATO”.

Finally, Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the recent Strategic Defence review, which confirmed that the UK and its allies face new risk from nuclear weapons, recommending that the UK investigate further involvement with NATO’s deterrent system.

The Defence Review had stated:

“More F-35s will be required over the next decade. This could comprise a mix of F-35A and B models according to military requirements to provide greater value for money”

As well as this, “Defence should commence discussions with the United States and NATO on the potential benefits and feasibility of enhanced UK participation in NATO’s nuclear mission.”

The Prime Minister had recently pledged to meet the new NATO spending target of 5% of GDP on national security by 2035 with 3.5% of this being spent on core defense capability, including 12 new AUKUS submarines, new F-35s and possibly more Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft. The UK will confirm the new capabilities that are due to be procured later this year.

NATO’s Nuclear Sharing

As mentioned, American B61 nuclear weapons are currently operated by several European states, with their use being controlled by NATO and the US president. However, there has been some controversy following the election of Donald Trump in the U.S. and his bellicose attitude towards European security. This had prompted fears that nuclear sharing would be removed from Europe amongst some member states, but this did not occur.

Polish President Andrzej Duda says Poland wants to host both French and U.S. nuclear weapons in Poland. 5 countries currently host U.S. nukes under NATO’s nuclear sharing program: 🇩🇪 Germany

🇳🇱 Netherlands

🇧🇪 Belgium

🇮🇹 Italy

🇹🇷 Turkey pic.twitter.com/jLTBT5C5n9 — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 18, 2025

In March of this year, then Polish President Andrzej Duda proposed that the U.S. should share its nuclear weapons with Poland, another operator of the U.S.-made F-16 and F-35. Poland has expressed interest in joining the program for a few years, stemming from Russia’s initial invasion of Crimea in 2014. It is already a participant to the SNOWCAT (Support of Nuclear Operations With Conventional Air Tactics) program in which conventional fighter aircraft support the deployment of nuclear weapons, protecting bomber packages and participating in exercises such as Steadfast Noon.

Whilst the U.S. declined Poland’s proposals, France’s President Emmanuel Macron suggested that France’s deterrence force could be extended to cover Germany and Poland, as well as several other NATO states. France’s official nuclear doctrine includes the defense of Europe as a part of its core national interests that the nuclear deterrent is there to protect, so this is not an unlikely offer.

However, Britain’s pledge to buy F-35As and to operate B61 nuclear bombs shifts the narrative on the U.S. commitment to European nuclear deterrence reaffirming a U.S. role in the defense of Europe.

The United Kingdom will purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets from the United States in what will be the “biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said. The fifth-generation aircraft, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, will be used to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) nuclear mission. Starmer is expected to announce this major shift in defense strategy at the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday.

Strategic shift End of reliance on submarine-launched missiles The acquisition of the F-35As marks a major change in Britain’s nuclear strategy, which has relied on submarine-launched missiles since the Cold War. “These F-35 dual-capable aircraft will mark…new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and help deter hostile threats to the UK and our allies,” Starmer said. Britain’s nuclear deterrence is currently reliant only on the Trident submarine-based system, which misfired during a test last year, the second consecutive failure after one went off course in 2016.

Economic impact Strengthens Britain’s nuclear posture The British government has said that the decision to buy these jets will support 20,000 jobs in the F-35 program in the UK. The move also strengthens Britain’s nuclear posture by joining NATO’s dual-capable aircraft nuclear mission. “In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted,” Starmer said. NATO Secretary General welcomed the announcement, calling it “another strong British contribution to NATO.” The jets will be stationed at Marham Air Force Base in eastern England.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The United Kingdom will buy 12 F-35A fighter jets, marking a significant boost to the country’s nuclear deterrence posture, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

Announced ahead of the NATO summit held this week in The Hague, the government called it “the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation.” The new procurements will allow Britain to “join NATO’s nuclear mission” by reintroducing to the Royal Air Force so-called dual-capable aircraft: airframes that can carry both conventional and atomic payloads. Seven other NATO countries, including the U.S., Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Greece, and Italy, currently operate such platforms.

The NATO airborne nuclear mission involves European partner countries delivering American B-61 nuclear bombs on behalf of the alliance in the case of a nuclear war. Under the agreement, even though the bombs are carried by European planes and European pilots, the U.S. would have the final command over the nuclear bombs’ control and release.

The United Kingdom already has a fleet of F-35B’s, a different variant of the aircraft that has short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities. London is in the process of completing its first procurement batch of 48 F-35B’s, with over 30 already delivered. The F-35A, by contrast, can carry more weapons and has a greater range than its STOVL counterpart.

In total, Britain will purchase 138 F-35s throughout the program.

RELATED

Since 1998, when the last of Britain’s air-dropped atomic bombs were decommissioned, the UK’s nuclear deterrence has relied exclusively on the nuclear-tipped missiles continuously deployed at sea aboard the Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class submarines. The country has recently initiated a major overhaul of its nuclear posture, investing in the development of a new kind of nuclear warhead, replacing its submarine fleet by the turn of the decade, and working to reestablish nuclear fuel autarky. The upgrade will cost tens of billions of pounds.

American nuclear bombs have not been stationed in the UK since 2008 but the latest announcement all but confirms their return. Observers had pointed out apparent preparations for the re-deployment of American nuclear bombs in recent years: The UK was added to NATO’s list of nuclear weapons storage locations receiving upgrades under a multimillion-dollar infrastructure program, and U.S. Air Force budget documents from 2023 used language suggesting the construction of a nuclear bomb storage site at RAF Lakenheath.

The UK government has said the new jets will be based at RAF Marham.

Prime Minister Starmer said that in his estimation, “an era of radical uncertainty [in which] we can no longer take peace for granted” made these measures necessary. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte “strongly welcomed” London’s decision to join the airborne nuclear mission, adding that “this is yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”

At the NATO summit in the Netherlands this week, leaders of the alliance’s member countries are expected to agree to a substantial increase in defense spending of up to 5% of gross domestic product.

Linus Höller is a Europe correspondent for Defense News. He covers international security and military developments across the continent. Linus holds a degree in journalism, political science and international studies, and is currently pursuing a master’s in nonproliferation and terrorism studies.