British warplanes will be equipped with nuclear weapons for the first time since the Cold War, following a historic deal with the United States.
At a Nato summit in The Hague on Wednesday, the Prime Minister is set to reveal that Britain will purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets. Unlike the F-35B models already in service with the UK, these new planes are capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “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 move marks the first time since the retirement of the Tornado in 1998 that Britain will operate aircraft equipped to drop nuclear bombs on enemy targets.
The Ministry of Defence stated: “It… 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.”
The announcement comes as Britain’s newly published national security strategy warned that for the first time in decades, the nation must “actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario”.
The report also warned of the “growing” nuclear threat to Britain, saying the “proliferation of nuclear and disruptive technology” means the UK must overhaul its defence priorities.
Meanwhile, Nato’s 32 leaders will meet on Wednesday to sign off a new 5 per cent spending target for defence and associated infrastructure.
Among those attending will be Donald Trump, days after US forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites.