Britain to expand nuclear deterrent fleet of new fighter jets

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, speaks to the media at the end of a visit to the Netherlands marines training base, as part of the UK-Netherland Joint Amphibious Force in Rotterdam, during a visit to attend the Nato Summit at the Hague, Netherlands. Picture date: Tuesday June 24, 2025. - (PA Wire)

The UK is set to buy a fleet of new fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, in what Downing Street has called the “biggest strengthening” of Britain’s posture “in a generation”.

Britain will buy 12 F35A jets and join Nato’s airborne nuclear mission in the move, which was confirmed while Sir Keir Starmer is at the alliance’s summit in The Hague.