Staff Reporter Daily Dawn + Dawn TV Report
London: Britain has announced that it will buy 12 F-35A fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, which are capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons. The government has described the move as the largest expansion of its nuclear defense in a generation.
According to a report by the British news agency ‘Reuters’, Britain will buy F-35A aircraft. This move will make Britain’s nuclear defense capability two-pronged. Prime Minister Keir Starmer cited increasing global threats as the reason for this move.
Until now, Britain’s nuclear capability relied only on submarines, which constantly patrol the sea. These aircraft will give the UK Air Force the ability to carry nuclear weapons for the first time since the end of the Cold War.
Prime Minister Starmer said that in an era where uncertainty is at its peak, we cannot take peace for granted.
Price and details of the new aircraft
Each F-35A aircraft costs about 80 million pounds ($109 million), which means the total cost of 12 aircraft is about 1 billion pounds.
The US will provide B61 tactical nuclear bombs for use on these aircraft, a British official said, adding that the move is part of a plan under which the UK will take greater responsibility for European security.
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