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UK to buy ‘at least’ a dozen F-35As, ‘join NATO’s nuclear mission’"The purchase represents the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation," the UK's Foreign Office said in the announcement.
By Lee Ferranon June 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron maneuvers through the Mach Loop valleys, Wales, May 8, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Seleena Muhammad-Ali)
WASHINGTON — The United Kingdom announced today it will buy “at least” 12 F-35As and will use the jets to “join NATO’s dual capable nuclear mission” in what it called a “major boost” for the alliance’s security.
“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,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a UK announcement.
F-35As were officially certified to carry nuclear bombs last year, as first reported by Breaking Defense. The UK, which already flies F-35Bs, said the F-35As will be based at RAF Marham and are part of a total expected procurement of 138 F-35s “over the lifetime of the programme.”
“The purchase represents the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation,” the UK’s Foreign Office said in the announcement. “It also 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.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte “strongly welcome[d]” the announcement as “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”
The announcement, timed for the NATO summit taking place in The Hague this week, is in line with the UK’s high-profile Strategic Defense Review, which called for “more F-35s” over the next decade. The review suggested that could mean a “mix” of F-35As, the conventional takeoff and landing version of the multirole jet, or F-35Bs, the short take-off, vertical-landing variety.
In addition to the F-35A’s nuclear capability, today’s announcement said that the choice of As would “deliver a savings of up to 25 [percent] per aircraft for the taxpayer.” (The announcement did not include an estimated price tag and a spokesperson for the British embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)
“The Strategic Defence Review confirmed we face new nuclear risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying their nuclear arsenals,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said. “And it recommended a new UK role in our collective defence and deterrence through a NATO-first approach.”
첫댓글 F-35A를 도입하면서 B61 같은 것을 도입하거나 만들려는걸까요? 12기면 숫자상으로는 전략 폭격기스럽긴 한거 같습니다 ㅎㅎ
아마 나토 핵공유 프로그램에 따라 유럽에 배치된 미국의 B61을 던질 기체를 도입하는 것일 거라서 별도의 핵폭탄을 또 살 것 같진 않긴 합니다만, 정세 변화에 따라 영국이 미국이 준 핵폭탄으로 나토 핵공유와 별도로 독자적 2축 체제를 가동할 수도 있긴 하겠네요. ( https://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/5q3/731 )