Air-launched nukes an option for the RAF if it buys F-35A, suggests SDR co-author
The UK may invest in air-launched nuclear weapons in the coming years, the lead military author of the Strategic Defence Review has told BFBS Sitrep.
The document said more F-35 aircraft would be needed by the Royal Air Force - and General Sir Richard Barrons said these platforms - specifically the A variant - could carry such weapons.
When asked about the prospect of the military looking to have an air-launch capability Gen Sir Richard said: "It is something that is going to be discussed.
"So if the Ministry of Defence buys F-35A model, which we think is a good idea, then the A model can be dual-capable.
"It can do a conventional role and it can also carry the American free-fall nuclear munition.
"And a number of Nato nations already do this, so it's going to be worth asking Nato 'this a good idea?'.
"And within the UK Armed Forces, some think it is a good idea and others have reservations, and Nato may say you know 'we've kind of got this covered' so, to be discussed."
The RAF and Royal Navy currently operate the F-35B, which has a short take-off/vertical landing capability, but is not cleared to carry nuclear weapons - and neither is the conventional carrier landing C model.
The F-35A used by the US Air Force is the only variant of the Lightning that is currently cleared for Nato nuclear munitions.
Gen Sir Richard added: "The wider question for the UK and our allies is, well, there's clearly a gap between strategic nuclear capability like the Trident missile, intercontinental ballistic missile, which takes you into strategic levels of destruction."
He also pointed to the threat posed by Russia's weapons as a reason the UK could be looking into improving its capability in this area.
He said: "A great deal of alarm from what we've seen in Ukraine, where you know President Putin's talked about using tactical nuclear weapons and in Russian doctrine, as is well known, that features as a mode of de-escalating a conflict when it gets to a critical moment.
"There is going to be a conversation about closing the gap and that you can close the gap in a number of ways.
"The DCA [dual-capable aircraft] is one route, and others will argue that you can close the gap by the rapid evolution of very long range, so longer range than the DCA aircraft, highly effective, self-protecting conventional missile which could reach anywhere in your opponent's territory and that would be a really effective deterrent.
"This is an interesting discussion, not yet resolved."
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