UK Aims to Restore Airborne Nuclear Strike Capability with F-35A Jets Armed with B-61 Bombs
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Thirty years after abandoning its airborne nuclear capability, the United Kingdom may be preparing to reverse course. According to consistent reports, notably from The Sunday Times, London is considering the acquisition of F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear bombs of the B61 type. This initiative would represent a strategic shift in response to rising geopolitical threats, particularly from Russia. If confirmed, it would mark a major change in the UK’s nuclear posture since the end of the Cold War.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An F-35A Lightning II from the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, takes off at Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath in England (Picture source: UK MoD)
Since the gradual retirement of the WE.177 bomb and the aircraft able to deliver it, such as the Blackburn Buccaneer and Tornado GR1/1A, the UK’s nuclear deterrent has relied solely on its fleet of Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines, armed with US-designed Trident D5 missiles. This sea-only approach has long been justified as sufficient and aligned with the UK’s strategic needs. It has even influenced debate in France, where some advocated abandoning the airborne component of France’s deterrent based on the British example.
However, the strategic environment has changed considerably. The UK now faces what its political leadership describes as a “new era of threats.” In this context, the upcoming Strategic Defence Review, expected on June 2, is anticipated to signal an intent to diversify deterrence capabilities. According to reports, the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the option of restoring an airborne nuclear role. This effort is supported by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Defence Secretary John Healey and Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
The proposal under consideration involves acquiring a fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft, the conventional takeoff and landing variant of Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation fighter. Already operated by several NATO allies, this model is capable of deploying B61 tactical nuclear bombs from its internal weapons bay, maintaining its low radar signature. The F-35A features the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, a 360-degree Distributed Aperture System (DAS), Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), and Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS). Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine delivering up to 43,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner, the aircraft can reach Mach 1.6 and operate above 15,000 meters with a combat radius exceeding 2,200 kilometers. It is equipped with an internal 20 mm Vulcan cannon, AMRAAM and Sidewinder missiles, JDAM and SDB bombs, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles. These capabilities enable the aircraft to conduct precision strikes, suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support, and interdiction missions in contested environments.
This development would also align the UK more closely with practices already adopted by other NATO members. The United States, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium all maintain comparable capabilities within the Alliance’s nuclear sharing arrangements. While the UK has historically stayed outside that framework, it did host B61 bombs on its territory until 2008, specifically at RAF Lakenheath. These weapons were then operated exclusively by US Air Force F-15Es. That base’s storage facilities are currently undergoing renovation, which may signal preparations to house US nuclear weapons again. Meanwhile, the F-15Es at Lakenheath are set to be replaced by F-35As.
It is important to note that the UK currently operates only F-35B Lightning II jets, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, designed for use from Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. According to The Military Balance 2025, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy currently have around 33 F-35Bs in service, out of an original procurement target of 138. Acquiring F-35As would therefore represent a major capability shift, as this version alone is compatible with the integration of B61 nuclear bombs under NATO sharing arrangements. Such a move would give the UK a more flexible and responsive nuclear option, complementing its sea-based deterrent.
The UK appears to be seriously considering reintroducing an airborne nuclear component, breaking with three decades of doctrine based solely on submarine-launched deterrence. This strategic shift, driven by the evolving threat landscape, aims to increase the flexibility and credibility of the UK’s nuclear posture while aligning more closely with NATO’s shared deterrence architecture.
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Thirty years after abandoning its airborne nuclear capability, the United Kingdom may be preparing to reverse course. According to consistent reports, notably from The Sunday Times, London is considering the acquisition of F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear bombs of the B61 type. This initiative would represent a strategic shift in response to rising geopolitical threats, particularly from Russia. If confirmed, it would mark a major change in the UK’s nuclear posture since the end of the Cold War.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An F-35A Lightning II from the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, takes off at Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath in England (Picture source: UK MoD)
Since the gradual retirement of the WE.177 bomb and the aircraft able to deliver it, such as the Blackburn Buccaneer and Tornado GR1/1A, the UK’s nuclear deterrent has relied solely on its fleet of Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines, armed with US-designed Trident D5 missiles. This sea-only approach has long been justified as sufficient and aligned with the UK’s strategic needs. It has even influenced debate in France, where some advocated abandoning the airborne component of France’s deterrent based on the British example.
However, the strategic environment has changed considerably. The UK now faces what its political leadership describes as a “new era of threats.” In this context, the upcoming Strategic Defence Review, expected on June 2, is anticipated to signal an intent to diversify deterrence capabilities. According to reports, the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the option of restoring an airborne nuclear role. This effort is supported by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Defence Secretary John Healey and Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
The proposal under consideration involves acquiring a fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft, the conventional takeoff and landing variant of Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation fighter. Already operated by several NATO allies, this model is capable of deploying B61 tactical nuclear bombs from its internal weapons bay, maintaining its low radar signature. The F-35A features the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, a 360-degree Distributed Aperture System (DAS), Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), and Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS). Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine delivering up to 43,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner, the aircraft can reach Mach 1.6 and operate above 15,000 meters with a combat radius exceeding 2,200 kilometers. It is equipped with an internal 20 mm Vulcan cannon, AMRAAM and Sidewinder missiles, JDAM and SDB bombs, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles. These capabilities enable the aircraft to conduct precision strikes, suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support, and interdiction missions in contested environments.
This development would also align the UK more closely with practices already adopted by other NATO members. The United States, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium all maintain comparable capabilities within the Alliance’s nuclear sharing arrangements. While the UK has historically stayed outside that framework, it did host B61 bombs on its territory until 2008, specifically at RAF Lakenheath. These weapons were then operated exclusively by US Air Force F-15Es. That base’s storage facilities are currently undergoing renovation, which may signal preparations to house US nuclear weapons again. Meanwhile, the F-15Es at Lakenheath are set to be replaced by F-35As.
It is important to note that the UK currently operates only F-35B Lightning II jets, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, designed for use from Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. According to The Military Balance 2025, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy currently have around 33 F-35Bs in service, out of an original procurement target of 138. Acquiring F-35As would therefore represent a major capability shift, as this version alone is compatible with the integration of B61 nuclear bombs under NATO sharing arrangements. Such a move would give the UK a more flexible and responsive nuclear option, complementing its sea-based deterrent.
The UK appears to be seriously considering reintroducing an airborne nuclear component, breaking with three decades of doctrine based solely on submarine-launched deterrence. This strategic shift, driven by the evolving threat landscape, aims to increase the flexibility and credibility of the UK’s nuclear posture while aligning more closely with NATO’s shared deterrence architecture.
