NATO Ally Looks to Buy US Nuclear-Capable Fighter Jets to Counter Russia
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The United Kingdom is hoping to purchase American-made fighter jets, capable of both carrying and deploying nuclear weapons, according to a report in The Sunday Times.
The British newspaper cited anonymous senior officials familiar with the matter, who said the U.K. intends buying Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning stealth fighter aircraft, but that other options are also being evaluated.
The Sunday Times reported that the potential deal was part of the country's broader strategy to address threats posed by Russia, and that the "highly sensitive" talks between the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defence have been led by Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin, head of the UK's armed forces, and Secretary of State for Defence John Healey.
When contacted for comment, the Ministry of Defence directed Newsweek to an interview given by Healey on Sunday morning, in which he said that such discussions "are not conducted in public," but refused to rule out whether the purchase was an option.
Why It Matters
Combined with other actions taken and statements made by the U.K. government in recent days, including tomorrow's release of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, the purchase would signal a significant escalation in Britain's assessment of the threats posed by Russia and the urgency of countering these.
Additionally, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has recently set out plans to increase the country's defense budget to 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027, up from the current 2.3 percent. This follows calls from NATO officials for member states to devote a greater portion of their budget to counter Russian threats, and similar requests from President Donald Trump
What To Know
According to the U.S. Air Force, the F-35A Lightning possesses a range of more than 1,350 miles and is capable of carrying payloads of up to 18,000 pounds. Variants of the F-35 have already been certified to carry B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs, a type of low-yield nuclear munitions.
Having decommissioned its stockpile of tactical, air-delivered nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War, the U.K. has relied on its "Trident" system as a nuclear deterrent. The arsenal is exclusively capable of being deployed by four Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines.
A U.S. Air Force fifth generation F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft comes in to land outside RAF Lakenheath on April 17, 2025 in Lakenheath, England.
A U.S. Air Force fifth generation F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft comes in to land outside RAF Lakenheath on April 17, 2025 in Lakenheath, England.The Sunday Times report comes ahead of the release of the government's strategic defence review, which Healey told the BBC would send a "message to Moscow."
In a briefing released ahead of the full report, the government said the review would outline a "total commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent," as well as a "NATO-first" defence policy."
What People Are Saying
Secretary of State for Defence John Healey spoke to Sky News about the reported purchase on Sunday morning, saying: "Those sort of discussions are not conducted in public and certainly not with a running commentary."
"I want to make a wider point though on our nuclear deterrent which is this: For nearly 70 years, our U.K. nuclear deterrent has been the guarantor of our U.K. security—it's what Putin fears most," he added. "And the threats we face in the future, mean we will always have to do what we need to defend the country, and strong deterrence is absolutely essential in order to keep Britain and the British people safe."
Lord De Mauley, chair of the Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, said in October: "Years of strategic neglect have left our forces stretched thin and limited in size. We are underprepared to respond to the worsening global threat environment, and in particular to meet the very real and growing threat from Russia."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in an article for The Sun published Sunday, said his government was committed to restoring "Britain's war-fighting readiness." He cited the emergence of "new nuclear risks," as well as cyberattacks orchestrated by Russia alongside Iran and North Korea.
What Happens Next?
The government's Strategic Defence Review 2025 is scheduled for publication on Monday.
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