The US is reportedly planning to station nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time in 15 years, following the growing threat from Russia. The Guardian reports this, citing Pentagon documents seen by the Telegraph.
The warheads, three times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, are expected to be placed in Suffolk. The US had previously placed nuclear missiles at Raf Lakenheath, but removed them in 2008, after the Cold War threat had receded. Pentagon documents reveal procurement contracts for new facility at air base. A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defense said: “It remains a long-standing policy of the United Kingdom and NATO to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons in a particular location.”
There have recently been calls from both sides of the Atlantic for the UK to be prepared in the event of a potential war between NATO forces and Russia. Earlier this week, General Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing head of the British Army, said his 74,000-strong force needed to be reinforced by at least 45,000 reservists and citizens to be better prepared for a possible conflict. However, Downing Street has ruled out any move towards conscription, saying military service will remain voluntary.