LONDON: Thermo-nuclear weapons are poised to make a comeback in the United Kingdom after a hiatus of 15 years, according to documents from the Pentagon obtained by The Telegraph.
The documents outline detailed plans for the deployment of B61-12 gravity bombs, known for their potency being three times stronger than the Hiroshima bomb. These weapons, designed to be smaller and deliverable by conventional fighter jets, are slated to be stationed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in Suffolk, UK.
This strategic move has elicited concerns, particularly from Moscow, which perceives it as an “escalation and a destabilizing practice.” The unredacted records from the U.S. Department of Defense’s procurement database shed light on the Pentagon’s requisition of specific equipment, including ballistic shields, for the Lakenheath deployment. Additionally, construction is set to commence in June on a 144-bed housing facility for U.S. Air Force personnel.
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The return of U.S. nuclear weapons to the UK unfolds against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that this move compels Russia to take compensatory countermeasures to protect its security interests and those of its allies. However, the Kremlin did not specify the nature of these countermeasures.
The Ministry of Defence in the UK adheres to its longstanding policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location. This development marks a significant geopolitical shift, adding another layer of complexity to the evolving dynamics between NATO, the U.S., and Russia.
