For the first time since at least 2005, the United States has deployed nuclear weapons onto British soil, according to multiple defense sources. Reports confirm that several B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs were transferred this week from the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, to the newly constructed nuclear storage site at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England.
The B61-12, a modernized low-yield tactical nuclear bomb, is a key component of NATO’s nuclear deterrent posture. It is compatible with advanced aircraft platforms, including the F-35A Lightning II, which is currently operated by the 493rd and 495th Fighter Squadrons stationed at Lakenheath.
This move marks a significant escalation in U.S. and NATO nuclear readiness amid heightened tensions with Russia following the war in Ukraine and growing security threats in Europe. The deployment reinforces NATO’s extended deterrence strategy, signaling to Moscow that the alliance is prepared to respond to any nuclear provocation.
Analysts note that this development aligns with NATO’s ongoing upgrades to nuclear infrastructure across Europe, including similar facilities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. Defense experts warn that the decision could further strain U.S.-Russia arms control efforts and intensify the nuclear arms race.
While Washington has not officially commented on the transfer, British defense officials have reiterated that the U.K. remains committed to NATO’s collective defense obligations and deterrence posture. The deployment of B61-12 bombs—capable of precision strikes and adjustable yields—marks a new phase in forward-deployed nuclear capabilities in Europe.
