Campaigners and experts are urging the UK government to clarify reports that US nuclear weapons have been redeployed to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. This follows the sighting of a US Air Force C-17A Globemaster, a transport aircraft capable of carrying heavy loads, which recently completed a transatlantic journey from New Mexico to the UK.

Renewed Nuclear Presence?

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to provide a formal statement regarding the potential deployment of B61-12 nuclear bombs, marking the first such presence in the UK since 2008. CND Chair Tom Unterrainer emphasized the need for transparency, stating it is "completely inappropriate" for the public to learn of such significant developments through expert assessments rather than official channels.

Evidence and Speculation

William Alberque, a former NATO arms control expert, and other specialists have pointed to flight data as evidence of the nuclear transport. The C-17A Globemaster, which took off from McChord Air Force Base in Washington State, reportedly used a callsign associated with sensitive missions, suggesting it carried nuclear payloads. The aircraft's transponders were active, indicating a "dangerous load," and it refueled mid-air over the Atlantic, further fueling speculation.

Government Silence

Despite mounting evidence, the Ministry of Defence adheres to a longstanding policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons at specific locations. This stance leaves many questions unanswered, as the UK and NATO navigate the complexities of nuclear policy amid global tensions.

Strategic Implications

Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists suggests that the potential deployment could increase the number of US tactical nuclear weapons in Europe for the first time since the Cold War. This move might reflect a shift in NATO's strategy in response to perceived threats, signaling a departure from previous policies of restraint.