American nuclear weapons have reportedly been redeployed to British soil for the first time in over a decade, marking a significant shift in NATO’s nuclear posture amid rising tensions with Russia.
Multiple sources indicate that a number of B61-12 thermonuclear bombs were transferred this week to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
The reported movement involves the highly modernised B61-12 gravity bombs, which offer variable yields and precision guidance. These weapons are compatible with advanced delivery platforms such as the F-35A Lightning II, which is flown by the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath. The base hosts both the 493rd and 495th Fighter Squadrons—among the first in Europe to operate the F-35A.
The nuclear weapons are believed to have been flown from the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center in New Mexico to a newly built secure storage facility at the UK base. This facility has undergone substantial infrastructure upgrades in recent years, originally flagged in 2022 through US defence budget documents referencing enhancements consistent with nuclear mission readiness.
RAF Lakenheath previously stored US nuclear weapons during the Cold War. However, the last known removal took place in 2008, part of a broader disarmament trend across Europe. The return of nuclear arms now suggests a renewed emphasis on deterrence and strategic readiness by NATO forces, especially in light of ongoing instability in Eastern Europe and worsening US-Russia relations.
Neither the UK Ministry of Defence nor the US Department of Defense has confirmed the presence of nuclear weapons at the base. Both governments typically refrain from commenting on the location or status of such assets.
The quiet redeployment raises broader questions about the role of nuclear deterrence in Europe and the evolving defence strategies of Western allies in response to global threats. The renewed presence of US nuclear arms on British territory marks a notable development in the alliance’s military preparedness.
