US probably moved its nuclear weapons to UK – media

The US has probably deployed its nuclear weapons to the UK for the first time since 2008. Bloomberg writes about this, citing Pentagon data, open sources and assessments of military analysts.

On July 16, a C-17 military aircraft belonging to the US Air Force's nuclear transport unit flew from Kirtland base in New Mexico to the British air base at Lakenheath. There have been no official comments from the US and UK governments, as both countries traditionally adhere to a policy of uncertainty regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons.

Pentagon financial documents indicate that multi-million dollar work has been ongoing at the Lakenheath base for several years on facilities designated as infrastructure for the deployment of nuclear munitions. Analysts suggest that this is a delivery of new B61-12 thermonuclear bombs, which could mean an increase in the US tactical nuclear arsenal in Europe for the first time since the Cold War.

"There are strong indications" that the US has returned nuclear weapons to the UK," said Hans Kristensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists' Nuclear Information Project.

William Alberque, a Europe-based senior fellow at the Pacific Forum, said: "This a down payment that there's more to come on shifting NATO's deterrence posture toward strengthening. Returning US nuclear weapons to the UK is no small feat."

According to experts, the open flight with the transponder turned on indicates the US desire to show russia that its nuclear presence in Europe is not decreasing, but expanding.

The UK is also preparing its own infrastructure: the country recently ordered at least 10 new F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying the B61-12. The Ministry of Defense said the aircraft would restore the Royal Air Force's nuclear role for the first time since the end of the Cold War.

Meanwhile, russia is modernising its nuclear bases near Europe.

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