By Emeka Blast 
America Moves Thermonuclear Weapons to Britain in First Transfer Since 2008
The United States has reportedly redeployed thermonuclear weapons to British soil for the first time since 2008, with multiple sources confirming the transfer of B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. According to a UK Defence Journal report, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft from the 62nd Airlift Wing, certified for nuclear weapons transport, departed Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico on July 16, 2025, and landed at Lakenheath without transiting other countries’ airspace. The aircraft’s one-way mission, noted by open-source analysts like @TheIntelFrog on X, suggests a delivery of the advanced B61-12 bombs, capable of variable yields from 0.3 to 50 kilotons and deployable by F-35A jets based at the 48th Fighter Wing.
The move marks a significant shift in NATO’s nuclear posture, driven by heightened tensions with Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and threats to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. RAF Lakenheath, which hosted U.S. nuclear weapons during the Cold War until their withdrawal in 2008, has undergone upgrades since 2022, including 28 of 33 Protective Aircraft Shelters equipped with WS3 vaults for secure nuclear storage. The U.S. Air Force’s 2024 budget documents referenced a “surety dormitory” at Lakenheath, a term associated with nuclear weapons security, further supporting the deployment.
The UK’s recent acquisition of 12 F-35A jets, announced at NATO’s June 2025 summit, enables participation in NATO’s nuclear-sharing mission, with the jets based at RAF Marham potentially using U.S. bombs stored at Lakenheath. The arrangement requires approval from both the U.S. President and UK Prime Minister for any use, aligning with NATO’s dual-key system. The Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense maintain a policy of neither confirming nor denying nuclear weapon locations, but analysts, including the Federation of American Scientists, argue the evidence is compelling.
Critics, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), have condemned the deployment, citing risks to local communities and the lack of parliamentary debate, with over 60% of Britons opposing U.S. nuclear weapons in the UK. Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the move an “escalation,” warning of “countermeasures.” Social media reactions on X, such as @Megatron_ron’s post, highlight concerns about NATO’s nuclear buildup, while @DharmaShield praised the strategic move. The deployment coincides with the UK’s ongoing Trident modernization and plans to increase its nuclear stockpile to 260 warheads by the 2040s.
