UK to Acquire Nuclear-Capable F-35A Jets in Major Military Upgrade

The United Kingdom is set to purchase at least 12 F-35A fighter jets, which are capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, marking the most significant enhancement to the nation’s nuclear defense strategy in decades, according to a statement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office.

The announcement will be formally made by Starmer at the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday. This move will enable the UK’s Royal Air Force to deploy nuclear weapons via aircraft for the first time since the Cold War. Currently, the country’s nuclear deterrent is solely dependent on submarine-launched missiles.

"In today’s unpredictable global environment, peace can no longer be assumed," Starmer said. "That’s why my government is prioritizing national security investments. These dual-capable F-35 jets will usher in a new chapter for the Royal Air Force and serve as a powerful deterrent to any hostile threats against the UK and our allies."

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised the move, calling it "another strong British commitment to NATO."

Advanced Fighter Jets with Dual Capabilities

The F-35A, manufactured by U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, differs from the F-35B model currently in service with the UK. While both are highly advanced aircraft, the F-35A has the added ability to carry nuclear weapons alongside conventional arms.

According to AFP, seven NATO countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Italy, already host similar dual-capable aircraft that can be armed with U.S. B61 nuclear bombs—likely the same model the UK will utilize.

These new aircraft will be integrated into NATO’s nuclear dual-capable aircraft program, further reinforcing the alliance’s collective deterrence strategy. The jets will be stationed at RAF Marham, and the project is expected to bolster the UK economy by supporting 20,000 jobs, as 15% of the aircraft's global supply chain is based in Britain.

Europe Ramps Up Defense Spending

At the NATO summit, all 32 member states are anticipated to approve a major increase in military spending targets—from the current 2% of GDP to 5%.

The UK has already committed to reaching this new threshold and is also investing heavily in the production of new attack submarines and munitions factories.

This surge in defense budgets follows criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has argued that the United States shoulders an unfair share of NATO’s financial burden. Trump has previously questioned whether the U.S. should continue defending allies that fail to meet spending commitments and has even threatened to withdraw from the alliance.

Meanwhile, other European nations are also reinforcing their militaries in response to growing threats from Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently stated that Germany aims to significantly boost its military capabilities to become “Europe’s strongest conventional army.”