The U.S. has likely redeployed nuclear weapons to the UK for the first time in over 15 years, according to a Bloomberg report citing open-source intelligence and defense analysts. A military transport aircraft with its transponder active flew from Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico to RAF Lakenheath in England, carrying B61-12 thermonuclear bombs. This deployment, which would mark the first known U.S. nuclear presence in the UK since 2008, is perceived as a strategic move to counter Russian aggression and strengthen NATO’s deterrence posture in Europe.
Former NATO arms control official William Alberque suggested that leaving the aircraft’s transponder on was intentional and aimed at sending a message to Moscow. He stated, “This is a down payment that there’s more to come on shifting NATO’s deterrence posture toward strengthening, “Returning U.S. nuclear weapons to the UK is no small feat.”
Neither the U.S. nor the UK has confirmed the move, and the number of weapons redeployed remains unclear. The deployment coincides with UK plans to acquire F-35A jets capable of carrying B61-12 bombs, further enhancing its nuclear capabilities. NATO’s nuclear posture has remained largely unchanged since the Cold War, with weapons stationed in several European countries. The move is seen as a significant escalation, especially as former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previously discussed the possibility of increasing nuclear deployments to deter Russia and China.
Russian officials have criticized such moves, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the remarks “yet another fueling of tensions.” The Bloomberg report comes after the UK confirmed plans in June to acquire at least 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying US B61-12 bombs. London called the move “the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation.”
Analysts suggest that the redeployment may be a warning to Russia that the U.S. has no intention of weakening its footprint in Europe. The report highlights ongoing tensions between NATO and Russia, with both sides seeking to assert dominance in strategic regions. The lack of confirmation from either the U.S. or the UK adds to the uncertainty surrounding the move, although the implications for regional security and international relations are significant.