From Trident to Tactical: Why the UK RAF is buying nuclear-ready F-35s and what it means for NATO
June 25, 2025
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK intends to buy at least 12 F-35A nuclear-capable fighter jets.
These advanced fighter jets are capable of carrying US-made B61-12 nuclear bombs, and will mark the first time Britain has had air-launched nuclear capability since 1998.
Downing Street called the move the ‘biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation,’ noting that the additional fast jets would support 20,000 more jobs across the UK.
The announcement aligns with NATO’s push for more investment in defence. At the summit in The Hague this week, leaders committed to invest 5% of GDP annually on defence and security by 2035.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the order “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”
Why the UK thinks now is the time for nuclear
Driving the decision to return to air-launched nuclear defence is the recently published 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR).
This review confirmed a £15 billion investment in the UK’s nuclear programme, including fitting next-generation Astraea warheads to its Trident submarines.
“The Strategic Defence Review confirmed we face new nuclear risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying their nuclear arsenals,” says Defence Secretary John Healey MP. “And it recommended a new UK role in our collective defence and deterrence through a NATO-first approach.”
The procurement plan announced yesterday includes 27 aircraft in all, of which 12 have been switched to the F-35A. The RAF already has a fleet of 38 of the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant, jointly operated with the Fleet Air Arm, but these are not nuclear certified.
The 2025 SDR effectively reverses policies that have been embedded since 1998, when Tony Blair’s government undertook its own SDR and decided its deterrent would be solely based on the Trident submarine force.
The SDR further emphasises a ‘NATO-first’ posture for the UK,and the importance of aligning with NATO’s Dual-Capable Aircraft (DCA) mission. This involves stationing US nuclear weapons in the UK once more, and using UK-based aircraft to carry them.
What the UK F-35 purchase means for NATO
The UK rejoining the DCA mission is a strong signal of the collective commitment to nuclear defence.
Until now, just five NATO allies – the US, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, and Italy – hosted or operated DCA. Britain will now rejoin that group for the first time since it retired the WE.177 bombs in 1998.
This neatly fills a hole in NATO’s northern flank, and with arguably the best machine out there.
The F-35A already has a heavy presence in the NATO fleet, particularly as the US has several hundred. Around 540 Lightning IIs are available across the partners, with another 150 plus slated for delivery.
With the UK joining the F-35A club, NATO gains another modern, survivable tactical nuclear delivery system. This rapid response nuclear option strategically complements the Trident submarines, and moves the British posture from submerged and strategic to visible and tactical.
“The UK’s commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the Alliance’s contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure,” says Starmer. “But we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come.”
Does relying on US nuclear bombs make the UK vulnerable?
British F-35As are certified to carry US-made B61-12 nuclear bombs. While the UK will be responsible for hosting and moving the warheads, the ownership will remain with the USA.
This means the UK would not be able to unilaterally deploy them without explicit US presidential authorisation. Should US-UK relations turn sour, Washington could withhold use or even remove the bombs from the country.
This rather undermines the idea of a sovereign deterrent, which has long been a cornerstone of British nuclear policy. Even now, the information from the UK Government reads:
“The UK’s nuclear deterrent is operationally independent. Only the Prime Minister can authorise the use of our nuclear weapons even if deployed as part of a NATO response.”
That will change when the F-35As arrive, pulling the UK closer to US strategic interests.
