London, the United Kingdom – For the first time in over a decade, the United States has returned to position nuclear weapons on British soil. According to multiple sources, gravity pumps B61-12 were transferred this week to the base Raf Lakenheathlocated in Suffolk, eastern England.
Armaments are believed to have been transported from the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Centersituated in Base Aérea de Kirtlandin New Mexico for a new secure storage installation built recently in Lakenheath.
The US Department of Defense has not officially confirmed the movement, and the UK Ministry of Defense maintains the policy of not commenting on the presence or absence of nuclear weapons in specific places.
Pump B61-12: versatile and accurate
A B61-12 It is a modernized, low-performance version of the classic US tactical nuclear bomb. It has the ability to variable yield and systems of Precision Guidebeing compatible with several launch platforms, including the F-35A Lightning II.
Em RAF Lakenheath, a 48th Hunting Wing operates Squads 493º and 495thboth equipped with F-35A fighters-the first of this model based on Europe.
+ B61-13: New US nuclear bomb comes with more power of destruction and advanced technology
Return after 15 years and strategic change of NATO
The last known withdrawal of US nuclear weapons in Lakenheath took place in 2008as part of a broader process of post-cold nuclear reduction. The renewed presence of these weapons is seen as a significant change in NATO’s nuclear posturein a moment of growing tension with Russia and reinforcement of the deterrent measures in European theater.
Plans of restoration of nuclear capacity in lakenheath have already emerged in 2022when US budgetary documents revealed infrastructure works on the basis compatible with nuclear readiness requirements.
So far, not even US Air Force Neither British authorities issued comments about the supposed implementation.
Source and images: UK Defence Journal | USAF. This content was created with the help of AI and revised by the editorial team.
