What's happened
The UK will purchase 12 nuclear-capable F-35A fighters, marking a significant enhancement of its nuclear deterrent. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced this decision at a NATO summit in The Hague, emphasizing the need for increased national security amid rising global tensions.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Implications
- The acquisition of F-35A fighters will allow the UK to participate in NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements, enhancing collective security.
- This move signals a response to perceived threats, particularly from Russia, and reflects a broader trend of increasing military spending among NATO members.
Economic Impact
- The deal is expected to support approximately 20,000 jobs in the UK, as 15% of the F-35 supply chain is based there.
- The UK government plans to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, indicating a long-term commitment to military readiness.
Political Context
- Starmer's announcement comes amid heightened global tensions and criticism of NATO's defense spending. The UK aims to reaffirm its role as a key player within the alliance, especially as only three NATO members possess nuclear capabilities.
What the papers say
According to AP News, Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the purchase as 'the biggest strengthening of the U.K.’s nuclear posture in a generation.' The Japan Times highlighted that these F-35s will 'herald a new era' for the UK's Royal Air Force. Al Jazeera noted that this acquisition allows the UK to carry nuclear weapons for the first time since the Cold War, emphasizing the strategic shift in defense policy. The Independent echoed these sentiments, stating that the UK is re-entering the realm of air-dropped nuclear capabilities, which had been phased out decades ago.
How we got here
The UK's nuclear capabilities have been limited to submarine-launched missiles since the 1990s, following the phase-out of air-dropped atomic weapons. This new acquisition represents a shift in the UK's defense strategy, aligning with NATO's nuclear mission.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the UK's new F-35s?
- How will this affect NATO's defense strategy?
- What is the timeline for the F-35 acquisition?
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean, forming the largest constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
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