Experts indicate that the United States may have already transferred B61-12 bombs to the Lakenheath airbase in the UK.
In light of escalating security concerns, countries such as Poland, Finland, and Lithuania are being considered as potential sites for additional nuclear weapon placement.
These plans primarily involve non-strategic nuclear weapons, which are intended for use against hostile forces, airfields, ports, command centers, and other military infrastructures. Compared to strategic nuclear weapons, non-strategic ones typically have lower explosive yields and are generally deployed on fighter jets, shorter-range ballistic missiles, or cruise missiles.
According to experts, following extensive nuclear disarmament after the Cold War, approximately 100 American B61-12 bombs have been stored across six airbases in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
In Germany, these weapons are expected to be stationed at the Büchel airbase in Rhineland-Palatinate. In the event of an emergency, German fighter jets could deploy these bombs as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements.
Currently, the Luftwaffe has Tornado fighters on standby for potential operations of this nature, with plans for future F-35 jets to assume this role.
Reports suggest that it remains unclear how NATO might communicate any decisions regarding the expansion of its deterrent capabilities. Some believe that one option could be to keep Russia uncertain about specific actions.
Context
- In July 2025, reports indicated that the U.S. could return nuclear weapons to Lakenheath for the first time in 16 years. Additionally, the then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to acquire F-35A fighters capable of carrying B61-12 bombs, with the first deliveries expected in the early 2030s.
