U.S. to deploy nukes in UK for first time in 15 years amid Russian aggression, The Telegraph

Contracts for the supply of a new facility at the Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath in Suffolk confirm that the United States intends to deploy nuclear warheads at the airbase. These warheads are reported to be three times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The U.S. withdrew nuclear warheads from Great Britain in 2008, believing that the Cold War threat from Russia had diminished. The revelation of this information comes amid warnings that NATO countries need to prepare their citizens for a potential war with Russia.

U.S. and Europe are talking about war with Russia

Last week, Admiral Rob Bauer, a high-ranking NATO military official, stated that individuals should prepare for a total war with Russia within the next 20 years, necessitating significant changes in their lives. General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British Army, further warned that in the event of a war with Russia, the public would need to be mobilized as the military was too small.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday evening supported Sir Patrick's call to create a civilian army, pledging to join if the UK entered a war with Russia.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro then urged the UK to "reassess" the size of its armed forces.

The Western countries are against Russia, Iran, and North Korea

"The return of American weapons to the UK is part of a Nato-wide programme to develop and upgrade nuclear sites in response to heightened tensions with the Kremlin in the wake of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine," the article states.

Russia has stated that the deployment of American weapons in Great Britain would be considered by Moscow as an "escalation" and would be met with "compensating counter-measures."

In addition to the conflict in Ukraine, the West is facing growing challenges from Iran and North Korea, which have become closer to Russia in recent years.

On Friday, the UK, France, and Germany condemned Iran for launching a new satellite for long-range missile targeting. Tehran is enriching uranium for potential use in developing nuclear weapons.

The U.S. and the UK are also conducting strikes in the Red Sea against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are attacking container ships allegedly in response to "military aggression by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

What journalists have learned

Unedited documents in the U.S. Department of Defense procurement database reveal plans for a "nuclear mission" that will inevitably take place at the RAF Lakenheath airbase in the UK, where nuclear weapons were stationed during the Cold War.

"The Pentagon had refused to comment on speculation that a new “surety dormitory”, first revealed in budget documents last year, was intended for the base, which is run by the US Air Force under British regulations and laws, to allow the US to house tactical nuclear weapons that can be deployed by F-35 fighter jets," writes The Telegraph.

The term "surety" is used by the Pentagon to denote the need to ensure the security of nuclear weapons when not in use.

Documents show that the Pentagon has ordered new equipment for the base, including ballistic shields designed to protect military personnel from attacks on "high-value assets." Construction of a new residential complex for U.S. military personnel working at this facility will begin in June.

Official U.S. statements

It is expected that the RAF Lakenheath airbase in the UK will host B61-12 gravity bombs with a potential yield of up to 50 kilotons.

President Joe Biden has stated that the U.S. will strengthen its military presence in Europe in response to changes in the security situation.

The U.S. has already announced plans to deploy two squadrons of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets capable of carrying bombs to the 48th Fighter Wing at the RAF Lakenheath airbase.

In October, U.S. officials requested congressional approval to begin developing a new B61 bomb with a larger yield, arguing that more powerful weaponry would provide the president with additional capabilities against some more complex military targets.

Currently, the U.S. has nuclear warheads in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye under the NATO agreement for the joint use of nuclear weapons.

Russian attack on NATO

In recent times, Western media extensively covered discussions about Russia's intentions to launch an attack on NATO countries. Scenarios and infographics were published. Officials have already begun calling for preparations for a possible war.

Discussions began after the German tabloid Bild published what it claimed was a secret document, Defense Alliance 2025.

The head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, Bruno Kahl, also stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin would not hesitate to attack NATO. If Ukraine were forced to surrender, it would not quench Russia's thirst for power.

For more details on this, the military capabilities of Russia and NATO, and how the conflict might unfold, refer to RBC-Ukraine's material.