UK to purchase U.S. nuclear-armed planes

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said "an era of radical uncertainty" is the reason behind his government's decision to buy a dozen Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets that are capable of carrying and firing tactical nuclear weapons.

The move, which was announced by his Downing Street office as leaders of the NATO military alliance gathered to meet in the Netherlands, means that, for the first time since the end of the Cold War, the Royal Air Force will be capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Reuters reported each plane will cost around 80 million pounds ($109 million). The UK has not had its own air-launched nuclear weapons since 1998, and currently its only nuclear deterrent consists of at least one nuclear-armed Trident submarine on constant deployment.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the move, calling it "yet another robust British contribution to NATO".

"The United Kingdom has declared its nuclear deterrent to NATO for many decades, and I strongly welcome today's announcement that the UK will now also join NATO's nuclear mission and procure the F-35A," he said.

The UK Defence Journal website quoted Starmer as saying the decision would provide support to more than 20,000 jobs in around 100 companies across the country as part of the supply chain, and give associated industries what he called a "defense dividend".

"In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted," he continued. "These F-35 dual capable aircraft will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter hostile threats that threaten the UK and our allies."

The UK government's Strategic Defence Review, which was published earlier this month, highlighted the transformed nature of modern warfare and security threats, and the need for new tactics and approaches to address them.

"The world has changed. The threat we now face is more serious and less predictable than at any time since the Cold War," the document said. "For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario.