Two squadrons of new US fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons ‘will be based in Britain as soon as this year – in message to Russia that America is ”serious” in new Cold War’
- It follows after reports that Americans could host nuclear weapons in UK again
Two squadrons of US fighter jets, capable of carrying of nuclear weapons, are set to be based in Britain this year, it has been claimed.
Experts have said the move, which will reportedly see F-35 As deployed and based at the US-rented RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, is evidence that the West has entered a new cold war.
It comes days after a US Air Force report showed that the military base could be used for Americans to host nuclear weapons in the UK again.
‘F-35s will be based there,’ a defence source told the Telegraph. ‘They have deployed and will be moving in at the end of this year, if not sometime in 2024.’
The planes have the capability of carrying out tactical nuclear bombings as well as conducting air-to-air missions and gathering intelligence.
Military sources told the paper that there are plans to bring 54 F-35s in to replace the current F-15s – which are also capable of carrying nuclear weapons but less advanced – held at the airbase.
Two squadrons of F-35 As will reportedly be deployed and based at the US-rented RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Pictured: A Norweigan F-35 A with a Finnish F-18
There are reportedly plans to bring 54 F-35s in to replace the current F-15s (pictured) at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk
The source added: ‘It’s a newer, more capable aircraft, which has a longer range and stealth, which is crucial if you are going to use them to accurately drop nuclear bombs.’
Prior to 2008, 110 US nuclear bombs had been stored at the Suffolk base. They were removed when the threat of nuclear war declined.
Construction at the RAF site for the ‘surety dormitory’ for nuclear arms is set to begin in June 2024 and end in February 2026.
The US budgetary report showed a request for $50million (£39.6 million) to build the 144-bed dormitory ‘to house the increase in enlisted personnel as the result of the potential Surety Mission.’
The reported return of the weapons to British soil is a significant move, with some suggesting it indicates ‘how dangerous and complex our world is becoming’.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of Britain and Nato’s Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, told the paper: ‘This is absolutely a cold war and it is strategic brinkmanship.
‘This is a game of poker. If the US is putting nukes in the UK, it’s a message to Russia that they are serious.’
It comes as concerns over nuclear warfare are at their highest level for some years following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
It comes days after a US Air Force report showed that RAF Larkenheath in Suffolk (pictured) could be used for Americans to host nuclear weapons in the UK again
Concerns over nuclear warfare are at their highest level for some years following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who is chairman of the defence select committee, added: ‘If the Americans believe they need to store nuclear weapons this side of the Atlantic, it is a massive indicator of how dangerous and complex our world is becoming.’
He said the UK should be supportive of the decision if it helps with wider security.
Meanwhile campaigners have urged the government to refuse the return of nuclear based weapons to the UK.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) told the BBC it would be ‘beyond irresponsible’ to see the return of the nuclear weapons base to the UK.
CND general secretary, Kate Hudson, said: ‘It’s increasingly clear that Lakenheath is once again a vital cog in Washington’s overseas nuclear machine.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who is chairman of the defence select committee, said the reported move indicates ‘how dangerous and complex our world is becoming’
Former health secretary and MP for West Suffolk Matt Hancock welcomed the ‘potential expansion’
‘The deployment of the new B61-12 (gravity bombs) to Europe undermines any prospects for global peace and ensures Britain will be a target in a nuclear conflict between the US/NATO and Russia.
‘It’s beyond irresponsible that the UK government is allowing this deployment.’
Former health secretary and MP for West Suffolk Matt Hancock welcomed the ‘potential expansion’.
He said his constituents, including those who live near RAF Larkenheath, ‘recognise the importance of reinforcing our commitment to shared security and democratic values’.
An MOD spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘It remains a long-standing UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at a given location.’
Source: Read Full Article
