The Prime Minister has announced at the Nato summit that the UK will acquire a squadron of F-35A jets for the RAF which will be able to carry US B61 nuclear gravity bombs. Given that we already have submarines carrying Trident ballistic missiles each with multiple nuclear warheads – which are far more dangerous – why are we doing this?
The answer is that we need a full spectrum of possible responses to deter our enemies – to convince them not to do certain things. Vladimir Putin might decide to risk using tactical nukes on the battlefield in Ukraine or in a future attack on other nations, destroying opposing forces and gaining a big military advantage. He might calculate that Britain would be reluctant to make a strategic Trident strike and unleash armageddon in that situation. However, Putin having escalated to the use of tactical nukes, the UK might well feel able to respond using its new tactical option.
Fundamentally, when Putin looked west in February 2022, he saw no conventional or nuclear deterrence to prevent his attacks into Ukraine. This has been exacerbated by President Trump’s apparent ambivalence towards Nato and his ambiguity over supporting a Nato country if invaded by Russia. Intentionally or not, this has emboldened Russia. In parallel, some home truths from the US to Nato countries have forced us to take responsibility for the defence of Europe. We are all now pledged to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence which should easily be enough to see off the Russian bear with or without Uncle Sam. The new British tactical option will come as part of this.
The Prime Minister has announced at the Nato summit that the UK will acquire a squadron of F-35A jets for the RAF which will be able to carry US B61 nuclear gravity bombs. Given that we already have submarines carrying Trident ballistic missiles each with multiple nuclear warheads – which are far more dangerous – why are we doing this?
The answer is that we need a full spectrum of possible responses to deter our enemies – to convince them not to do certain things. Vladimir Putin might decide to risk using tactical nukes on the battlefield in Ukraine or in a future attack on other nations, destroying opposing forces and gaining a big military advantage. He might calculate that Britain would be reluctant to make a strategic Trident strike and unleash armageddon in that situation. However, Putin having escalated to the use of tactical nukes, the UK might well feel able to respond using its new tactical option.
Fundamentally, when Putin looked west in February 2022, he saw no conventional or nuclear deterrence to prevent his attacks into Ukraine. This has been exacerbated by President Trump’s apparent ambivalence towards Nato and his ambiguity over supporting a Nato country if invaded by Russia. Intentionally or not, this has emboldened Russia. In parallel, some home truths from the US to Nato countries have forced us to take responsibility for the defence of Europe. We are all now pledged to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence which should easily be enough to see off the Russian bear with or without Uncle Sam. The new British tactical option will come as part of this.