The United States is investing in the creation of special warehouses for nuclear weapons at RAF Lakenheath.

The Guardian reports.

The project will provide US aircraft at this air base with the ability to use B-61-11/12 nuclear bombs.

The Pentagon has secured $50m funding to develop projects to create the appropriate infrastructure for the deployment and storage of nuclear weapons and personnel.

Currently, U.S. nuclear weapons have not been deployed in the United Kingdom for 15 years.

RAF Lakenheath is used by the 48th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of 492, 493, 494 and 495 squadrons. The units are equipped with F-15E Strike Eagle fighters, which are actively used by the U.S. command for overseas operations.

The FAS previously reported that in the 2023 defence budget, the UK was added to the list of countries where infrastructure investment is under way on “special weapons” storage sites in Europe, alongside Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

The United States withdrew 110 nuclear weapons from Britain in 2007, which were transferred to other storage bases in Europe.

Currently, the United States is regrouping its aviation at RAF Lakenheath and replacing F-15E fighters with more modern F-35As.

This year, the fighter received a certificate for the use of B-61-12 nuclear bombs, and will become the first F-35A unit in Europe, part of the 495th Fighter Squadron, to be able to use nuclear bombs.

As Militarnyi previously reported, the United Kingdom is expanding the staff and facilities for the production of nuclear power plants and warheads.

The increase in staff is related to the general direction of the country – the UK wants to increase the production of nuclear reactors for military and commercial purposes.

The UK nuclear sector is currently undergoing expansion due to a large order of British nuclear submarines under the SSN-AUKUS project by Australia.

In addition to export orders, the United Kingdom is investing in infrastructure for the construction and operation of nuclear submarines of the Dreadnought project with Trident 2 D5 nuclear intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.