UK to buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads after review warns of 'wartime scenario'

London: Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday announced that the UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads after a government defence review warned that Britain must "actively prepare" for a direct attack on the country in a "wartime scenario".

Starmer informed the ongoing North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit in The Hague of the UK's plans to acquire the dual-capable aircraft, which can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons.

The UK said it will deploy the jets as part of NATO's nuclear "Dual Capable Aircraft" mission in support of the alliance's nuclear deterrence posture.


"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," said Starmer.

"Supporting 100 businesses across the country and more than 20,000 jobs, these F35 dual-capable aircraft will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force (RAF) and deter hostile threats that threaten the UK and our Allies," he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated that his commitment to NATO is "unquestionable... but we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come".

UK-based firms such as BAE Systems, Cobham, GE Aviation, Honeywell, Martin Baker, MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls Royce, Leonardo UK, Ultra Electronics and EDM Limited all play a vital role in the supply of stealth fighter jets.

The new fast jets will be based at RAF Marham, with the government expected to procure 138 F35s over the lifetime of the programme. The procurement of 12 F-35A rather than 12 F-35B as part of the next procurement package will deliver a saving of up to 25 per cent per aircraft for the taxpayer, Downing Street said.

The announcement came as Britain's newly published national security strategy warned of the "growing" threat to the UK from nuclear weapons, adding that the "proliferation of nuclear and disruptive technology" meant the UK needed to adapt its approach to national security.

"The Strategic Defence Review recognised that the UK is confronting a new era of threat, including rising nuclear risks. It recommended that the UK further strengthen our commitment to effective deterrence and our partnership with our NATO Allies, building on our unique role as the only European power to pledge our nuclear deterrent to defend our NATO allies," the Downing Street statement said.

The purchase of a new fleet marks the first time since the retirement of the Tornado fleet in 1998 that the UK will have a plane capable of dropping tactical nuclear weapons on the enemy.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: "The Strategic Defence Review confirmed we face new nuclear risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying their nuclear arsenals. And it recommended a new UK role in our collective defence and deterrence through a NATO-first approach.

"This commitment is an embodiment of NATO first, strengthening the alliance while at the same time using defence as an engine for growth to create jobs across in the UK."

The UK's defence review also flagged that threats from other countries were on the rise, and that the UK had been "directly threatened by hostile activities including assassination, intimidation, espionage, sabotage, cyber-attacks and other forms of democratic interference".