The US is planning to deploy nuclear weapons to the UK for the first time in 15 years as the threat from Russia grows, according to reports. Under the proposal, a warhead three times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb would be deployed at Lakenheath Air Force Base in Suffolk, the Telegraph reported.
The United States previously installed nuclear missiles at Lakenheath Air Force Base, which it removed in 2008 after the Cold War threat from Moscow waned. Pentagon documents seen by the newspaper reveal a procurement contract for a new facility at the air base.
A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said: “It is the long-standing policy of the UK and NATO to neither confirm nor deny the existence of nuclear weapons in any particular location.”
In recent days, dignitaries on both sides of the Atlantic have called for Britain to prepare in the event of war between NATO forces and Russia. Earlier this week, outgoing British military commander General Patrick Saunders said the 74,000-strong force needed to be strengthened with at least 45,000 reservists and nationals to prepare for a possible conflict.
Downing Street ruled out any move towards conscription and said military service would remain voluntary.
US Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro urged Britain to “reassess” the size of its military, taking into account “the threats that exist today”.
Downing Street defended the British government's defense spending, saying Britain was Washington's “partner of choice” in the offensive against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea because of its “military capabilities”.
