Washington: The United Kingdom announced it will buy “at least” 12 F-35As and will use the jets to “join NATO’s dual capable nuclear mission” in what it called a “major boost” for the alliance’s security.
“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,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a UK announcement.
F-35As were officially certified to carry nuclear bombs last year. The UK, which already flies F-35Bs, said the F-35As will be based at RAF Marham and are part of a total expected procurement of 138 F-35s “over the lifetime of the programme.”
“The purchase represents the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation,” the UK’s Foreign Office said in the announcement. “It also reintroduces a nuclear role for the Royal Air Force for the first time since the UK retired its sovereign air-launched nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte “strongly welcome[d]” the announcement as “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”
The announcement, timed for the NATO summit taking place in The Hague this week, is in line with the UK’s high-profile Strategic Defense Review, which called for “more F-35s” over the next decade. The review suggested that could mean a “mix” of F-35As, the conventional takeoff and landing version of the multirole jet, or F-35Bs, the short take-off, vertical-landing variety.
In addition to the F-35A’s nuclear capability, the announcement said that the choice of As would “deliver a savings of up to 25 [percent] per aircraft for the taxpayer.”
“The Strategic Defence Review confirmed we face new nuclear risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying their nuclear arsenals,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said. “And it recommended a new UK role in our collective defence and deterrence through a NATO-first approach.”
