Photo: F15 Eagle RAF Lakenheath July 2009 

By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

January 27, 2024

In response to the growing threat from Russia, the United States is reportedly considering storing nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time in 15 years. The weapons, said to be three times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb, could potentially be stationed at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, according to reports from The Telegraph.

The last time the US stored nuclear missiles at the airbase was during the Cold War, and they were removed in 2008. However, recent revelations suggest that Pentagon documents outline contracts for a new facility at the RAF site.

The Ministry of Defence has maintained a policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons at specific locations, stating, “It remains a longstanding UK and NATO policy.”

This development coincides with calls from senior figures urging the UK to be prepared for a potential conflict between NATO forces and Russia. General Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing head of the British Army, emphasized the need for readiness, suggesting that the current 74,000-strong force requires an additional 45,000 reserve soldiers and citizens.

Downing Street has ruled out discussions of conscription, but the call for the UK to reassess its armed forces’ size has been echoed by US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro. He urged the UK to reconsider its military capabilities in light of existing threats.

Downing Street, in defense of the UK government’s spending on defense, emphasized Britain’s role as Washington’s “partner of choice.” This partnership has been evident in recent strikes against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, with Downing Street attributing the collaboration to the UK’s “military strength.”

As discussions unfold regarding the potential storage of nuclear weapons on UK soil, the geopolitical landscape underscores the need for nations to reassess and fortify their defense capabilities in response to evolving global threats.