US Reintroduces B61-12 Nuclear Bombs to the UK as a Strategic Signal to Russia.

According to an investigation published by The War Zone on July 21, 2025, multiple converging indicators suggest that the United States has discreetly reintroduced nuclear weapons to the United Kingdom, specifically at RAF Lakenheath. For the first time in nearly two decades, the presence of American nuclear bombs on British soil, particularly the B61-12, now appears to be a reality. This return occurs against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, marked by the deterioration of relations between NATO and Russia, reinforcing the perceived need to reassert the Alliance’s collective nuclear deterrence.
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A F-35A Lightning II from the 495th Fighter Squadron takes off from RAF Lakenheath in June 2025, an aircraft certified to carry the B61-12 nuclear bomb (Picture source: US DoD)

The most explicit signal emerged from a traditional yet symbolic artifact in U.S. military culture: a commemorative challenge coin recently unveiled at the Royal International Air Tattoo. Issued by the 493rd Fighter Generation Squadron (FGS) based at Lakenheath, the coin prominently displays the silhouette of a B61 nuclear bomb set against the background of a mushroom cloud. This direct reference points to the reactivation of a nuclear mission within the 48th Fighter Wing to which the unit belongs. This symbolic gesture corroborates a series of structural changes already observed at the base.

Since 2022, RAF Lakenheath has undergone extensive renovations, including the reinforcement of aircraft shelters to integrate WS3 vaults, underground structures designed for the secure storage of nuclear weapons. These upgrades align the British base with standards applied to other European sites hosting U.S. nuclear arms. Concurrently, several official Pentagon documents and defense contracts mention a "future nuclear mission" assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron, responsible for base security. This strategic shift is further supported by specialized training provided to personnel involved in nuclear operations.

Recent movements of U.S. cargo aircraft have reinforced these indications. A C-17A Globemaster III flight, identified by the callsign RCH4574, traveled from Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, home to the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, to Lakenheath, following a route typical of nuclear transfers. The 62nd Airlift Wing, operating the aircraft, is the only unit certified for such missions, although U.S. authorities, adhering to their established policy, have neither confirmed nor denied the presence of nuclear weapons at the site.

At the core of these developments lies the B61-12 bomb, the latest iteration of the B61 program initiated in the 1960s. This modernized version is part of a Life Extension Program (LEP) designed to standardize and extend the operational life of several older variants (B61-3, -4, -7, -10) while reducing the number of models in service. The B61-12 retains the modular nuclear payload of the B61-4 but is distinguished by the integration of an inertial guidance system combined with an advanced tail kit developed by Boeing. This assembly, equipped with four control fins, enables the bomb to be guided precisely to its target, achieving an estimated Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 30 meters, a qualitative leap from earlier unguided ballistic models.

The B61-12's yield remains variable, featuring a selectable output ranging from 0.3 to 50 kilotons. This flexibility allows for calibrated use in both tactical and strategic contexts while addressing requirements for minimizing collateral damage. The bomb’s design incorporates requalified nuclear components from the Pantex Plant, neutron generators and electronic systems produced by Sandia National Laboratories, and non-nuclear subassemblies manufactured at the Kansas City National Security Campus.

Compatible with next-generation platforms, the B61-12 can be deployed by the F-35A, F-15E, F-16C/D, B-2A Spirit, and eventually the future B-21 Raider stealth bomber. At RAF Lakenheath, the F-35A Lightning II aircraft of the 493rd and 494th Fighter Squadrons, along with the remaining F-15E Strike Eagles, are technically capable of delivering the B61-12 in operational scenarios.

To date, the Royal Air Force does not operate aircraft certified to carry the B61-12. Its sole fifth-generation fighter, the F-35B Lightning II in STOVL configuration, is not integrated into the U.S. nuclear certification process. However, the UK has announced plans to acquire the F-35A, potentially enabling British participation in NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements. This prospect remains contingent on political decisions that have yet to be made.

The nuclear reactivation of Lakenheath is part of a broader strategy aimed at redeploying or securing U.S. arsenals in Europe to ensure the Alliance's strategic flexibility in an increasingly uncertain security environment. Despite the lack of official confirmation, the accumulation of material evidence, structural transformations, specific military flights, and symbolic signals leaves little doubt about the return of U.S. nuclear capability to British territory. This development marks a significant shift in NATO’s nuclear posture as the balance of deterrence is recalibrated in response to challenges posed by Russia and ongoing European concerns about the sustainability of nuclear sharing arrangements within the Alliance.