US nuclear weapons reportedly return to UK for first time since 2008

For the first time in over a decade, U.S. nuclear weapons are believed to have been redeployed to British soil.

Multiple sources report that several B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs were transferred this week to RAF Lakenheath, a Royal Air Force base in Suffolk, England, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The weapons are thought to have been flown from the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico to a newly built, secure storage facility at RAF Lakenheath. This marks a significant development in NATO’s nuclear posture in Europe amid growing geopolitical tensions, particularly with Russia.

Neither the U.S. Department of Defense nor the UK Ministry of Defence have publicly confirmed or denied the movement. Traditionally, both governments refrain from commenting on the presence or absence of nuclear weapons at specific military sites.

For the first time since at least 2005, U.S. nuclear weapons have been deployed onto the territory of the United Kingdom, with sources reporting that several B61-12 Thermonuclear Gravity Bombs were transferred this week from the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) at… pic.twitter.com/AS4QiI4NEx

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 20, 2025

The B61-12 is a modernised, low-yield tactical nuclear bomb with variable explosive power and precision guidance capabilities. Designed for compatibility with multiple delivery platforms, it is intended to be deployed by advanced aircraft such as the F-35A Lightning II. Notably, the 48th Fighter Wing stationed at RAF Lakenheath operates the 493rd and 495th Fighter Squadrons, both flying the F-35A and among the first in Europe to do so.

RAF Lakenheath hosted U.S. nuclear weapons during the Cold War, but the last known withdrawal occurred in 2008, following years of disarmament efforts across Europe. The recent reported redeployment signals a potential shift in NATO’s deterrence strategy, reflecting heightened concerns over Russia’s aggressive posture and renewed focus on nuclear readiness.

Signs of this development had been apparent since 2022, when U.S. budget documents revealed planned infrastructure upgrades at RAF Lakenheath consistent with nuclear storage and mission capabilities.

By Vugar Khalilov