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Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Why does Starmer want to grow Britain's nuclear arsenal?
The government published its National Security Strategy 2025 earlier this week, a strange pushmi-pullyu document building on some policy reviews and anticipating others. It is disappointing and unfocused. The national security strategy was accompanied by an announcement perhaps just as significant: the government will buy at least 12 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning strike fighters which are 'dual capable', that is, they can deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons. These aircraft will give the Royal Air Force a nuclear role for the first time since 1998, and the UK's nuclear capacity will no longer be reliant on the Royal Navy's Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines. Keir Starmer has a peculiar and unsettling enthusiasm for the UK's nuclear deterrent This is significant in all sorts of ways: militarily, conceptually and in terms of doctrine and planning. There are currently nine states with nuclear weapons and the UK is alone in having a single method of delivery, the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile. By buying F-35As capable of carrying B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs, Britain can join Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Turkey in contributing to Nato's nuclear sharing arrangement. Here is the detail, however, and its attendant devil. Nato currently has around 100 of these bombs: they are all owned by the United States and could only be used with the permission of the alliance's Nuclear Planning Group and the American president. There is no suggestion that the UK is likely to develop its own tactical nuclear weapons. Its F-35s would join similar aircraft from Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as ageing F-16 Fighting Falcons from Belgium and Turkey, in being available to conduct nuclear strikes. The new aircraft will operate from RAF Marham in Norfolk; the existing fleet of F-35Bs are also based at Marham but deploy operationally on the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, which the new F-35As cannot do. (The F-35A is also incompatible with the RAF's Voyager tanker aircraft so will be unable to refuel in-flight.) The government is not acquiring a sovereign capability here. The aircraft can be used for non-nuclear roles as well, of course, but it would be odd to choose to buy a small number of a different variant from the rest of the force if it was not intended for a specific purpose. We are buying into a nuclear club: helping our allies, certainly, but also paying for a better table, at a cost of around £80 million per aircraft. These are secondary issues. The more concerning argument is that Nato is strengthening its tactical nuclear capability in order, presumably, to provide a stronger deterrent against Russian or other aggression. President Vladimir Putin has threatened repeatedly to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, and the logic seems to be that we must be able to match him. Downing Street described the plan to buy the F-35A aircraft as 'the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation'. This is self-evidently true: our policy since at least the end of the Cold War has been to provide leadership on non-proliferation, maintaining a minimum credible deterrence and ruling out using Trident as a first-strike weapon. Now, without any visible heart-searching or hesitancy, the government has decided that the geopolitical situation requires more, not fewer, nuclear weapons, so that it can deliver, in Starmer's words, 'peace through strength'. There is an argument that low-yield tactical nuclear weapons are de-escalatory, providing more options for varying circumstances and preventing the immediate resort to more powerful warheads. I am sceptical. Surely it is just as possible that tactical weapons would lower the nuclear threshold, which lies less between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons and more between conventional and nuclear warfare. Smaller tactical weapons are in some ways intended to make 'going nuclear' more, not less, likely. This is all theoretical. A nuclear weapon has not been used in anger for nearly 80 years, since the 21-kiloton 'Fat Man' bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945. (The maximum yield of a merely tactical B61-12 bomb is sixteen times that of 'Fat Man'.) What targets would we deem justifiable for tactical weapons? Armoured formations, warships, military installations, infrastructure? What casualties would we see as regrettable but necessary? And once the nuclear threshold is crossed, how do we get back? Keir Starmer has a peculiar and unsettling enthusiasm for the UK's nuclear deterrent. He brandishes its power and necessity with such muscularity that it sometimes feels like overcompensation for Labour's unilateralism which was set aside nearly 40 years ago. The lead author of the Strategic Defence Review, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, told Parliament's defence committee that acquiring tactical nuclear weapons was not absent from its recommendations by chance. The fact that it's not there indicates that we weren't terribly enthusiastic about it. When I was defence secretary the last time round, I got rid of the free-fall bombs. To modify a catchphrase from the 2010 general election, which feels like a lifetime ago, I agree with George.
The National
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK plans for 'fighter jets carrying nuclear bombs' slammed
If the Labour Government went through with the purchase, reportedly to counter the growing threat by Russia, it would be the biggest expansion of the UK's so-called nuclear deterrent since the Cold War. The Sunday Times reports that the Government is taking part in 'highly sensitive' talks and that US firm Lockheed Martin's F-35A Lightning stealth fighter jet and other aircrafts are under consideration. READ MORE: Scottish independence support at 58 per cent if Nigel Farage becomes PM However, Defence Secretary John Healey refused to comment on the talks during a media round on Sunday, instead stating that the strategic defence review, due to be published on Monday, would contain further details about the UK Government's plans. It's understood the strategic defence review will not go so far as to back the purchase of the jets, but will suggest the UK looks at expanding its nuclear capability. The newspaper reports that the F-35A can carry the B61 thermonuclear bomb, the kind primarily used by the US, which has a stockpile of more than 3700. It's understood that as part of Nato's nuclear-sharing arrangements, the UK jets, if purchased, would carry these rather than its own nuclear weapons. Before they were decommissioned after the Cold War, Britain previously had a stockpile of tactical nukes and V-bomber aircraft. Now, the Vanguard submarine programme is the only nuclear arsenal the UK has. Healey was asked on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg if the UK should have a 'new, extra way of delivering nuclear weapons'. (Image: PA/BBC) He told the programme that the strategic defence review would 'talk about the new threats that we face, won't get into the sort of discussions that need to remain private, not public". Healey insisted the UK's nuclear deterrent was the 'ultimate guarantee of security in this country'. 'It's what Putin fears most,' he added. David Kelly, member of the executive of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (SCND), said he was 'not surprised, but shocked' at the possibility of an expansion of the UK's nuclear weapons. 'The British government drones on and on and on about independent nuclear deterrent,' he told The National. READ MORE: Scots minister hits back at Defence Secretary 'student union politics' jibe 'And now the next way of strengthening that apparently is to use American airplanes, which we suspect have a kill switch, with American nuclear weapons, which unquestionably would have a kill switch, to be launched by standoff missiles. 'It's just not very well thought through, like the rest of our defence policies." He added that discussions of war were 'astonishing'. SNP MSP Bill Kidd said: "Many Scots will have concerns about Labour spending billions of pounds of taxpayer money to expand the UK's nuclear arsenal at a time when many families continue to face the impact of the cost of living crisis. "The UK's nuclear capability is not independent, has leaked in recent years putting workers and wildlife at risk, frequently fails in safety tests and is highly unlikely to ever be used. We want an end to these dangerous weapons in Scotland, but Labour are determined to write them another blank cheque. "Any further expansion of the UK's nuclear arsenal must therefore come before parliament for democratic scrutiny.' Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill was also scathing in response to reports about the potential nuclear expansion. The former Scottish justice secretary said: "When we need cool heads, Labour are lurching towards war. READ MORE: SNP criticise Labour's plans to increase UK's defence spending "The UK is already an onshore aircraft carrier for the United States and now British planes are to carry American nuclear weapons. Scotland is already endangered by Trident on the Clyde and the last thing we need is nuclear weapons in our skies. "It's time for peace and investment in jobs, health and housing, not in machines of war and certainly not weapons which would see the annihilation of the human race." Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie also pointed to reports of leaks of radioactive material into Scotland's lochs and rivers around Faslane. 'In the 30 years since it was first deployed, with constant stories of accidents and poor maintenance, Trident has posed a greater threat to people in Scotland than it has to anyone else," he said. 'The simple fact is that nuclear armaments are indiscriminate weapons of mass slaughter, an immoral and unsafe waste of hundreds of billions of pounds that could be far better spent. (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'And relying on US technology at a time when the US president is not only proving to be an unreliable ally, but is an actively hostile threat to our allies in Canada and Greenland, make this an even more bizarre choice. 'I look forward to the day when an independent Scotland can join the 70 other nations who have already signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition on Nuclear Weapons.' It comes as the UK Government is to set up at least six munitions factories, with one rumoured, but not confirmed, to be in Scotland. Ministers pledged £1.5 billion for the factories and will support the procurement of up to 7000 UK-built long-range weapons in response to the strategic defence review, to be published on Monday. The new funding will see UK munitions spending hit £6bn during this parliament. Healey said the additional funding for defence was a 'message to Moscow'.
Newsweek
01-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
NATO Ally Looks to Buy US Nuclear-Capable Fighter Jets to Counter Russia
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United Kingdom is hoping to purchase American-made fighter jets, capable of both carrying and deploying nuclear weapons, according to a report in The Sunday Times. The British newspaper cited anonymous senior officials familiar with the matter, who said the U.K. intends buying Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning stealth fighter aircraft, but that other options are also being evaluated. The Sunday Times reported that the potential deal was part of the country's broader strategy to address threats posed by Russia, and that the "highly sensitive" talks between the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defence have been led by Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin, head of the UK's armed forces, and Secretary of State for Defence John Healey. When contacted for comment, the Ministry of Defence directed Newsweek to an interview given by Healey on Sunday morning, in which he said that such discussions "are not conducted in public," but refused to rule out whether the purchase was an option. Why It Matters Combined with other actions taken and statements made by the U.K. government in recent days, including tomorrow's release of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, the purchase would signal a significant escalation in Britain's assessment of the threats posed by Russia and the urgency of countering these. Additionally, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has recently set out plans to increase the country's defense budget to 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027, up from the current 2.3 percent. This follows calls from NATO officials for member states to devote a greater portion of their budget to counter Russian threats, and similar requests from President Donald Trump What To Know According to the U.S. Air Force, the F-35A Lightning possesses a range of more than 1,350 miles and is capable of carrying payloads of up to 18,000 pounds. Variants of the F-35 have already been certified to carry B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs, a type of low-yield nuclear munitions. Having decommissioned its stockpile of tactical, air-delivered nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War, the U.K. has relied on its "Trident" system as a nuclear deterrent. The arsenal is exclusively capable of being deployed by four Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines. A U.S. Air Force fifth generation F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft comes in to land outside RAF Lakenheath on April 17, 2025 in Lakenheath, England. A U.S. Air Force fifth generation F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft comes in to land outside RAF Lakenheath on April 17, 2025 in Lakenheath, Sunday Times report comes ahead of the release of the government's strategic defence review, which Healey told the BBC would send a "message to Moscow." In a briefing released ahead of the full report, the government said the review would outline a "total commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent," as well as a "NATO-first" defence policy." What People Are Saying Secretary of State for Defence John Healey spoke to Sky News about the reported purchase on Sunday morning, saying: "Those sort of discussions are not conducted in public and certainly not with a running commentary." "I want to make a wider point though on our nuclear deterrent which is this: For nearly 70 years, our U.K. nuclear deterrent has been the guarantor of our U.K. security—it's what Putin fears most," he added. "And the threats we face in the future, mean we will always have to do what we need to defend the country, and strong deterrence is absolutely essential in order to keep Britain and the British people safe." Lord De Mauley, chair of the Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, said in October: "Years of strategic neglect have left our forces stretched thin and limited in size. We are underprepared to respond to the worsening global threat environment, and in particular to meet the very real and growing threat from Russia." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in an article for The Sun published Sunday, said his government was committed to restoring "Britain's war-fighting readiness." He cited the emergence of "new nuclear risks," as well as cyberattacks orchestrated by Russia alongside Iran and North Korea. What Happens Next? The government's Strategic Defence Review 2025 is scheduled for publication on Monday.
The Irish Sun
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
British fighter jets to carry nuclear weapons in face of ‘new era of threat' of Russia
BRITAIN looks set to introduce jets armed with nuclear weapons for the first time as part of the latest defensive expansion against Russia. The government is in talks with US officials over the move, which would be the UK's biggest deterrent development since the Advertisement 6 Britain's tactical nukes and V-bombers were decommissioned after the Cold War Credit: EPA 6 Britain's Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has called for the move Credit: AP 6 Investment in the aircraft would mean the UK would be able to launch nuclear weapons from both air and sea Credit: Alamy Sir Keir Starmer will launch a strategic defence review on Monday as the government looks to help Europe counter Putin's threat. The review points to the UK expanding its contribution to NATO's nuclear deterrence across the continent. It also recommends that the country's defence industry should be on standby for rearmament. Defence Secretary Advertisement They are looking to purchase fighter jets capable of carrying gravity bombs with lower power than conventional nuclear weapons. Britain's tactical nukes and V-bombers were decommissioned in favour of the Vanguard submarine programme after the Cold War. Investment in the aircraft would mean the UK would be able to launch nuclear weapons from both air and sea. At present, the military is only able to launch from one platform. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Whereas US forces possess nuclear launch capabilities from land, air and sea. Britain will be wiped off the map with nukes unless it stops helping Ukraine, warns Putin's guru 'Professor Doomsday' American-built F-35 A Lightning stealth jets look to be the target for the government, with the jets having been recently procured by German military forces. They have a range of almost 900 miles and are capable of carrying a B61 thermonuclear gravity bomb. Radakin is understood to view the move as the UK's number one defence priority. Advertisement Speaking to The Times, the Defence Secretary admitted that nuclear risks across the globe are rising. He said: "The world is definitely becoming more dangerous. Nuclear risks are rising. "For the first time since the Cold War, we face seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict. "The lesson from Ukraine is that a country's armed forces are only as strong as the industry behind them.' Advertisement It comes as the government insisted it would reach its target to hike defence spending to three per cent GDP by 2034. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, Sir Keir said the time had come to 'transform how we defend these islands'. 6 Sir Keir Starmer will launch a strategic defence review on Monday Credit: AFP 6 Defence Secretary John Healey admitted global nuclear risks are rising Credit: AFP Advertisement 6 Britain hopes to expand its contribution to NATO's nuclear deterrence against Russia Credit: PA He added: 'We will meet this moment head on — by mounting the kind of response not seen before in most of our lifetimes. "We will restore Britain's war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our Armed Forces. "We are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces. Advertisement 'So we must be ready to fight and win. After all, the best way to prevent conflict is by preparing for it.' Read more on the Irish Sun Revealing details of the long-awaited Strategic Defence Review, he revealed the UK will move to wartime levels of arms production by building six new munitions factories. The £1.5billion investment will create or support nearly 2,000 jobs across the country.
