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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Chilling maps show terrifying apocalyptic power of Britain's new air-launched NUKES joining RAF's doomsday arsenal
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHILLING maps show the apocalyptic power of air launched nuclear weapons returning to Britain's doomsday arsenal. RAF Top Guns are set to fly with tactical nuclear weapons for the first time in 30 years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Trident 2 missiles can carry up to eight nuclear warheads Credit: PA 3 F-35 bombers will be based in RAF Marham in Norfolk 3 It comes after the government ordered a dozen nuclear bombers that can carry American bombs. The F-35A bombers – to be based RAF Marham in Norfolk – are certified to carry American B-61 free fall nukes. The bombs are designed to give governments options in a spiralling state-on-state conflict. They are less destructive than doomsday weapons carried in the UK's nuclear deterrent submarines. But even the smallest H-Bomb – known as the B-61 Mod 3 – can engulf a whole city block in a thermo-nuclear fireball. It's payload is the equivalent of 300 tons of TNT explosives. If the bomb was dropped on a city, anyone inside an eight block radius would suffer horrific third degree burns as temperatures from the nuclear explosion can reach tens of millions of degrees celsius. The radioactive fall out would wipe an area the size of 200 football pitches. And if the bomb was primed to explode in the air – a split second before impact – the total blast area would cover an area of 800 football pitches. Larger versions of the B-61with have more than 1000 times more explosive power. Britain to test fire nuke missile in major show-of-force with sub launching 44ft Trident 2 for first time since 2016 But even they are dwarfed by the devastating power of warheads on Britain's Trident 2 missiles. Each Trident 2 missile can carry up to eight nuclear warheads. And the destructive power of each warhead ranges from 90 to 475 kilotons – or the equivalent of 475,000 tons of TNT. The blast radius of an single airburst warhead would flatten homes across an area the size of 12,000 football pitches. The total blast radius would be even bigger. But they warheads are designed to scatter as they plummet to earth from the edge of space – which means a single missile could render a capital totally uninhabitable. A former defence chief told The Sun: 'At the moment Britain has a gap in its arsenal. 'We have Tomahawk cruise missiles and Storm Shadows. 'Both of those can take out a hardened building or a bunker. 'But after that the only thing bigger is Trident.' Vladimir Putin threatened to drop a tactical nuke in 2022 as a terrifying 'show of force' in Ukraine. His troops had been forced to retreat on three fronts – in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson – and he was furious at western support for Ukraine. It triggered a frantic diplomatic effort that saw China and India helping to to convince the tyrant to abort. We have Tomahawk cruise missiles and Storm Shadows. Both of those can take out a hardened building or a bunker Former defence chief The UK scrapped its air-launched nukes in 1998. Before that the WE-177 bomb – known by pilots as 'the shape' – was carried on Tornado jets. The new F-35As will be able to carry conventional and nuclear weapons, like the Tornados before them. Pilots sent on a nuclear raids risk being annihilated the blasts caused by their own weapons. An RAF source: 'These are gravity bombs, so it is not like a Storm Shadow that you can fire 200km from a target. 'It will depend on the size of the blast.' Before the Tornado's Britain's air launched nukes were carried on 'V Bombers' including the Avro Vulcan, which served until 1984. Modern nuclear jets are designed to withstand the deadly electro-magnetic pulse caused by nuclear explosions, which can fry electronics and causing aircraft to crash. Weapons were less precise in the 80s. So the best way to destroy a bridge would have been with a tactical nuke A Top Gun who trained to drop WE-177s During the Cold War the UK's tactical nukes were designed take out Russian infrastructure, including bridges. A Top Gun who trained to drop WE-177s said: 'This was before smart bombs, and guided bombs. 'Weapons were less precise in the 80s. So the best way to destroy a bridge would have been with a tactical nuke.' Britain still makes its own nuclear warheads for the Trident 2 missiles on submarines, at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston. But it is not expected to manufacture sovereign nukes for the fleet of F-35As. The RAF said the F-35As will be 'available to fly Nato's nuclear mission in a crisis'. They said it would, 'boost Britain's contribution to 'nuclear burden-sharing and deter those who would do the UK and our allies harm.' The RAF added: 'It reintroduces a nuclear role for the RAF for the first time since the UK retired its sovereign air-launched nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War.' The US already has deals with a number of Nato nations to host and fly its nuclear bombs. The US Air Force has recently upgraded its nuclear storage bunkers at RAF Lakenheath in Norfolk, where its own F-35As are based.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Chilling maps show terrifying apocalyptic power of Britain's new air-launched NUKES joining RAF's doomsday arsenal
CHILLING maps show the apocalyptic power of air launched nuclear weapons returning to Britain's doomsday arsenal. RAF Top Guns are set to fly with tactical nuclear weapons for the Advertisement 3 Trident 2 missiles can carry up to eight nuclear warheads Credit: PA 3 F-35 bombers will be based in RAF Marham in Norfolk 3 It comes after the government ordered a dozen nuclear bombers that can carry American bombs. The F-35A bombers – to be based RAF Marham in Norfolk – are certified to carry American B-61 free fall nukes. The bombs are designed to give governments options in a spiralling state-on-state conflict. They are less destructive than doomsday weapons carried in the Advertisement But even the smallest H-Bomb – known as the B-61 Mod 3 – can engulf a whole city block in a thermo-nuclear fireball. It's payload is the equivalent of 300 tons of TNT explosives. If the bomb was dropped on a city, anyone inside an eight block radius would suffer The radioactive fall out would wipe an area the size of 200 football pitches. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest And if the bomb was primed to explode in the air – a split second before impact – the total blast area would cover an area of 800 football pitches. Larger versions of the B-61with have more than 1000 times more explosive power . Britain to test fire nuke missile in major show-of-force with sub launching 44ft Trident 2 for first time since 2016 But even they are dwarfed by the devastating power of warheads on Each Trident 2 missile can carry up to eight nuclear warheads. Advertisement And the destructive power of each warhead ranges from 90 to 475 kilotons – or the equivalent of 475,000 tons of TNT. The blast radius of an single airburst warhead would flatten homes across an area the size of 12,000 football pitches. The total blast radius would be even bigger. But they warheads are designed to scatter as they plummet to earth from the edge of space – which means a single missile could render a capital totally uninhabitable. Advertisement A former defence chief told The Sun: 'At the moment Britain has a gap in its arsenal . 'We have Tomahawk cruise missiles and Storm Shadows. 'Both of those can take out a hardened building or a bunker. 'But after that the only thing bigger is Trident.' Advertisement Vladimir Putin threatened to drop a tactical nuke in 2022 as a terrifying 'show of force' in Ukraine . His troops had been forced to retreat on three fronts – in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson – and he was furious at western support for Ukraine. It triggered a frantic diplomatic effort that saw China and India helping to to convince the tyrant to abort. We have Tomahawk cruise missiles and Storm Shadows. Both of those can take out a hardened building or a bunker Former defence chief The UK scrapped its air-launched nukes in 1998. Advertisement Before that the WE-177 bomb – known by pilots as 'the shape' – was carried on Tornado jets. The new F-35As will be able to carry conventional and nuclear weapons, like the Tornados before them. Pilots sent on a nuclear raids risk being annihilated the blasts caused by their own weapons. An RAF source: 'These are gravity bombs, so it is not like a Storm Shadow that you can fire 200km from a target . Advertisement 'It will depend on the size of the blast.' Before the Tornado's Britain's air launched nukes were carried on 'V Bombers' including the Avro Vulcan, which served until 1984. Weapons were less precise in the 80s. So the best way to destroy a bridge would have been with a tactical nuke A Top Gun who trained to drop WE-177s During the Cold War the UK's tactical nukes were designed take out Russian infrastructure, including bridges. Advertisement A Top Gun who trained to drop WE-177s said: 'This was before smart bombs, and guided bombs. 'Weapons were less precise in the 80s. So the best way to destroy a bridge would have been with a tactical nuke.' Britain still makes its own nuclear warheads for the Trident 2 missiles on submarines, at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston. But it is not expected to manufacture sovereign nukes for the fleet of F-35As. Advertisement The RAF said the F-35As will be 'available to fly Nato's nuclear mission in a crisis'. They said it would, 'boost Britain's contribution to 'nuclear burden-sharing and deter those who would do the UK and our allies harm.' The RAF added: 'It reintroduces a nuclear role for the RAF for the first time since the UK retired its sovereign air-launched nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War.' Read more on the Irish Sun The US already has deals with a number of Nato nations to host and fly its nuclear bombs. Advertisement The US Air Force has recently upgraded its nuclear storage bunkers at RAF Lakenheath in Norfolk, where its own F-35As are based.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Zelensky says conversation with Trump at the Vatican last week 'may have been the best we have ever had' - as Ukraine rains British missiles on Russia with US President's approval
Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that his conversation with Donald Trump at the Vatican last weekend 'may have been the best we have ever had'. 'I am confident that after our meeting in the Vatican, President Trump began to look at things a little differently,' Zelensky told a small group of journalists, including AFP, in remarks embargoed till Saturday. 'We'll see. That's his vision, his choice in any case.' Zelensky dismissed a three-day truce ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin coinciding with Moscow 's World War II commemorations, but said Kyiv was ready for a full ceasefire. Ukraine won't be 'playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin's exit from isolation on 9 May' when some international leaders are expected in Moscow, Zelensky told a small group of journalists, including AFP, in remarks embargoed till Saturday. Ukraine staged its heaviest strikes on Russia in months, reportedly deploying British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and kamikaze air and sea drones. Among numerous targets by Ukraine overnight a renewed 'attack on Putin's £3 billion Crimean Bridge'. Storm Shadows were reportedly used against Russian naval and commercial port Novorossiysk. Massive explosions were reported across the Krasnodar region - where Vladimir Putin has several palaces - as well as Rostov region and the occupied Crimea peninsula. Russia claimed it shot down 170 drones, 14 unmanned attack boats, eight Storm Shadows, and three Ukrainian Neptune-MD guided missiles. It was not immediately clear how many British missiles struck targets, but it is the first time they have been reported as being used by Ukraine since Donald Trump's January inauguration. Among the targets - with thunderous explosions - was key Russian Black Sea port Novorossiysk, where shot down drone debris hit residential tower blocks wounding civilians including children. Russian sources claimed Novorossiysk was attacked by Storm Shadow missiles, which - while British-supplied - needed specific US approval to use against Putin's territory. 'For the first time since January, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a strike with British Storm Shadow missiles on internationally recognised territory of Russia, on Novorossiysk,' said Sergei Markov, director of Russia's Institute of Political Studies. 'The Ukrainian Armed Forces cannot target these missiles themselves - they need a satellite constellation, which only the United States has. 'This apparently means that after signing the Mineral Deal with Ukraine, Trump ordered the US Army to again use the satellite constellation to target Ukrainian missiles on Russian territory. 'This means that the US [military] is again participating in the war against Russia. 'After coming to power, Trump ordered the US Army not to participate in strikes on Russian territory itself, so that there would be no escalation to a nuclear war. 'And now Trump has returned to [Joe] Biden's policy.' Novorossiysk was also attacked by Ukrainian unmanned boats which launched FPV drones, with one Russian helicopter reportedly shot down, and the crew rescued. The city's public transport was crippled after the bombardment. Taman and Kerch, which is close to the 12-mile Crimean Bridge, built by Putin and opened in 2018, were also hit. The bridge - a key supply route to Crimea - was closed for several hours amid the attack. Struck, too, in the blitzkrieg were Slavyansk-na-Kubani and popular Russian resort Anapa. Russia claimed it downed 96 drones over Crimea, but did not reveal how many hit targets. The punishing Ukrainian strikes came as evidence grew that Vladimir Putin has no intention of engaging with the month-long ceasefire demanded by the US and Ukraine. US officials were drawing up new sanctions against Putin, as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump 'must soon decide how much more time the US will devote to ending Russia's war against Ukraine '. The sides remained 'far apart', he said. The fresh sanctions were awaiting Trump's approval. Despite this, Putin - branded a 'monster' by Zelensky - continued his relentless assaults on Ukrainian civilians last night, striking second city Kharkiv, where 44 people were injured, including one 11-year-old child. 'There were no military targets and there could not be,' said Zelensky. 'Russia is striking residential areas precisely when Ukrainians are at home, when they are putting their children to bed. 'Only monsters can give such orders and carry them out. 'While the world is slow to make decisions, almost every night in Ukraine turns into horror, because of which lives are lost. 'Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defence. 'We need strong and real decisions from our partners: the United States, Europe, all our partners who strive for peace. Only force and sanctions will make Russia stop.' Zelensky defended his fresh strikes against Russia. He said: 'Russia continues to refuse a full, long-term ceasefire - all partners are tired of these Russian manipulations. 'We are defending our positions, we will act accordingly both at the front and in our actions on Russian territory. 'The war must be felt where it came from.' The new US sanctions - if Trump approves - would target Russia's energy and banking sectors, including Gazprom and key financial institutions.
Telegraph
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
German missiles to Ukraine could depend on British backing
Germany may be forced to abandon its plan to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine if it doesn't receive British endorsement soon, a member of Berlin's incoming government has warned. Roderich Kiesewetter, a senior Christian Democrats (CDU) MP, said in-fighting between his party and its coalition partner, the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD), was holding up a final decision by Friedrich Merz, the chancellor-in-waiting. But he suggested that 'UK leadership' might be able to break the deadlock and give Mr Merz the support he needs to deliver the powerful, long-range missile system. 'The Taurus delivery remains a point of contention for the time being ... I do not yet see any consensus here, especially as the parties have not agreed on the key security policy issues in the coalition agreement,' Mr Kiesewetter said. 'I don't yet see the Taurus being delivered. Any influence by UK leadership to finally convince Germany to deliver Taurus might help and is highly welcomed,' he added. His remarks came after Mr Merz suggested in an interview this week that Germany was finally ready to send Taurus missiles to Kyiv – but only with agreement from Britain and France. 'Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles. The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it anyway ... this must be jointly agreed. And if it's agreed, then Germany should take part,' Mr Merz said. His announcement immediately caused a rift with the centre-Left SPD party, which said there were 'many good arguments' against sending Taurus to Ukraine, as well as some in favour, as it sought to play down hopes the deliveries will happen. While Britain already provides Kyiv with Storm Shadows, and France has sent Scalp missiles, Olaf Scholz, the outgoing German chancellor, stubbornly refused to provide the Taurus system to Ukraine, fearing it would drag Germany into direct conflict with Russia. Storm Shadows and Scalps are shorter in range than the Taurus, which could potentially be used by Ukrainian forces to bomb the Kremlin in Moscow or destroy the strategically important Kerch Bridge in annexed Crimea. Mr Merz's Taurus announcement earlier this week was widely viewed as a sign that Germany will get much tougher on Russia under his leadership than under Mr Scholz. But Mr Kiesewetter warned that the political debate in his coalition on sending the Taurus missiles remained open, and that there was still resistance in the SPD party. 'The question for the SPD is whether it is prepared to distance itself from the delaying tactics and appeasement under Scholz in order to pave the way for greater German responsibility in European foreign and security policy,' Mr Kiesewetter said. The SPD's Boris Pistorius, who is expected to remain defence minister in the new CDU-SPD coalition, has said the argument against sending Taurus missiles is based on confidential national security reasons. But Mr Kiesewetter argued that the Scholz government's refusal to send the Taurus system has ended up emboldening Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, a mistake that this new government could be doomed to repeat. 'The delay and blockade of the delivery of this far-reaching system by chancellor Scholz was a major mistake and a de facto failure to provide assistance, which has weakened European security and led to more victims in Ukraine,' he said. 'Taurus is and remains a very effective means of destroying Russian command structures and supply routes and thus preventing Russian attacks in advance. It is important that Chancellor Merz orders the delivery immediately and, if possible, without ultimatums or preconditions,' the CDU MP added.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine out of ATACMS missiles, AP reports
Ukraine has no more long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) in its arsenal, the Associated Press (AP) reported on May 12, citing unnamed U.S. and Ukrainian officials. The news comes as the U.S. resumes the flow of military aid to Kyiv after talks with Ukrainian delegates in Saudi Arabia on March 11. Washington suspended weapons shipments in early March. A U.S. official and Ukrainian lawmaker confirmed to the AP that Ukraine currently has no remaining ATACMS missiles. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to provide details on the status of the weapons. ATACMS are U.S.-supplied ballistic missiles can fly up to 300 kilometers (about 186 miles). Former U.S. President Joe Biden eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of ATACMS in November 2024, allowing Kyiv to launch them against military targets in Russia. The U.S. sent Ukraine less than 40 long-range ATACMS in total, the U.S. official told the AP. According to the official, Kyiv ran out of the missiles in January. The New York Times (NYT) reported in December 2024 that Kyiv was near the end of its supply of ATACMS and was limiting their use. Kyiv first began receiving older, shorter-range versions of ATACMS in fall of 2023. In the spring of 2024, the U.S. began shipping updated models with a range of up to 300 kilometers. At the time, Ukraine was only permitted to deploy these missiles against targets in occupied Ukrainian territory. Following Biden's change in policy — which was accompanied by permission from the U.K. to attack Russia with British long-range Storm Shadows — Ukraine launched a series of missile strikes against Russian airfields, military facilities, and weapons factories. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously said he disagreed "very vehemently" with the decision to permit Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russia with American weapons. Deliveries of U.S. weapons resumed this week after senior Ukrainian officials met with White House representatives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 11. Washington imposed a freeze on military aid following a heated exchange between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. At the conclusion of the Jeddah talks, Ukraine announced that military aid had resumed and agreed to accept Washington's proposal for an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, provided that Moscow abides by the terms of the ceasefire simultaneously. Read also: 'There will still be war' — Ukraine's soldiers on ceasefire proposal, Russia, and Putin We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
