US to station nuclear equipped F-35A jets in UK: The Telegraph
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The deployment of F-35A jets in the UK marks a resurgence of the proliferation of US nuclear weapons in the UK after they were moved back in 2008.
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US Air Force F-35A fighter jets stand parked at an undisclosed location in the Middle East on July 25, 2023 (AP)
Two squadrons of US-made F-35A jets, equipped with the capability to conduct nuclear strikes, are set to arrive at the US-rented Lakenheath base in the United Kingdom, according to a recent report by The Telegraph citing a defense source.
The scheduled deployment of the F-35A jets marks a significant upgrade in the United States aerial capabilities in the region, according to the defense source.
"F-35s will be based [at Lakenheath]. They have [been] deployed and will be moving in at the end of this year, if not, sometime in 2024."
Read more: Iran's radars monitored multiple F35 jets in Gulf: Iranian Official
The F-35A will be replacing the F-15s, which possess nuclear bomb delivery capabilities but are considered to have lesser range and stealth compared to the F-35A.
With a projected total of 54 F-35A jets, this initiative underscores the US' commitment to bolstering its military presence and capabilities in the UK.
The fighters not only hold the capacity for tactical nuclear bombing but also boast versatile functionalities, including air-to-air combat and intelligence gathering.
The US Air Force recently confirmed its acquisition of funding for the construction of a state-of-the-art nuclear storage facility in the UK. This marks a resurgence of US nuclear proliferation on British soil after their removal in 2008.
Read more: Germany designates $10.5bln to buy F-35 fighter jets: Bloomberg
A report published back in July by the Wall Street Journal shows that the UK will be reducing its army and would aim instead to establish a better-equipped force that can be mobilized more rapidly, as the war in Ukraine rages on prompting a reassessment of policy.
The new strategic plan released by the Ministry of Defense tries to address complaints of the British military, which critics say lacks operational equipment and ammunition at a critical time.
