A briefing and discussion hosted by Baroness Natalie Bennett and Nuclear Information Service on 25 February was held to launch the latest NIS briefing ‘B61-12 Nuclear Bombs – more risk than security?’
The session entitled ‘Implications of a nuclear-capable Royal Air Force’ was attended by defence and security think tanks, academics, media and campaign groups.
Speakers were Okopi Ajonye, Co-Director of NIS and author of the briefing; Dr Patricia Lewis, Nuclear Physicist, (former Research Director for International Security at Chatham House); Dr Daniel Plesch, Professor of Diplomacy and Strategy at SOAS University of London as well as a range of nuclear, security and defence experts.
The plan to buy 12 F35A dual-capable fighter jets and host US B61-12 ‘tactical’ nuclear bombs has had little attention and the discussion raised many issues.
Natalie Bennett said: “The report provides crucial input to the starting of a public debate – which has hitherto been concerningly absent – about the known presence of B61-12 nuclear bombs on UK soil, but under sole US authority. It highlights the elevated risk of nuclear escalation, potentially making nuclear use more thinkable in a conventional conflict, which contradicts the claim that they assist in deterrence. With the end of New START, we are now in an even more dangerous age, but also at a point of opportunity, to advance more comprehensive approaches to arms control, something I will be doing at every opportunity.”
Report author Okopi Ajonye said: “The bomb is ultimately politically unusable, militarily negligible, yet extraordinarily dangerous if ever used.”
The briefing also addressed questions of parliamentary oversight and transparency in relation to decisions concerning nuclear weapons deployments. The report argues that developments of this scale merit clear public explanation and democratic scrutiny.
The B61-12 is the latest variant of the long-running US B61 family of nuclear gravity bombs, incorporating updated guidance and variable yield options. Its potential deployment in the UK represents a significant development in the UK–US defence relationship and NATO nuclear policy.
The report follows our earlier briefing on F35A nuclear capable fighter jets to be provided to RAF ‘Smoke and Mirrors’.
NIS is calling for enhanced transparency, parliamentary engagement, and informed public debate on all the implications of hosting US nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom.
