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The UK is to buy 12 US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets able to carrying nuclear weapons, in a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s defence technique.
Underneath the plans, Britain will be a part of Nato’s airborne nuclear mission, and the F-35A jets are anticipated to hold American atomic bombs, because the navy alliance contends with the rising menace of Russia.
The UK authorities’s buy of the plane marks a major enlargement of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. At the moment, Britain can solely launch nuclear weapons from its Vanguard class submarines, which carry them on Trident ballistic missiles.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will announce the acquisition of the F-35A jets on Wednesday at a Nato summit in The Hague, the place US President Donald Trump is predicted to press European members of the alliance to extend their spending on defence.
Starmer mentioned: “In an period of radical uncertainty we are able to now not take peace with no consideration, which is why my authorities is investing in our nationwide safety, guaranteeing our armed forces have the tools they want and communities up and down the nation reap the advantages from our defence dividend.”
The F-35 jet is made by Lockheed Martin of the US, however essential parts are manufactured in Britain.
The Nato summit is prone to be contentious attributable to Trump’s calls for that European members of the alliance enhance their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP.
Mark Rutte, Nato secretary-general, has drawn up plans for allies to allocate 3.5 per cent of their GDP to core navy spending and 1.5 per cent to areas resembling cyber and infrastructure by 2035, to fill gaps in European capabilities.
Rutte praised the UK dedication to purchase the F-35A jets. “The UK has declared its nuclear deterrent to Nato for a lot of many years, and I strongly welcome [the] announcement that the UK will now additionally be a part of Nato’s nuclear mission and procure the F-35A.”
The UK buy restores an atomic function to the Royal Air Drive for the primary time because the nation retired its air launched nuclear weapons on the finish of the chilly struggle.
The F-35A can carry each nuclear and standard weapons, and the brand new jets can be based mostly at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
The UK is already working dozens of F-35B jets, notably from two Royal Navy plane carriers, however they aren’t able to carrying nuclear weapons.
The federal government mentioned it was dedicated to purchasing 138 F-35s in complete.
