The United Kingdom has announced plans to buy 12 F-35A fighter jets from the United States, which are capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons. This decision marks a significant shift in defense strategy, as the UK aims to bolster its nuclear deterrent in collaboration with NATO. The acquisition emphasizes a return to Cold War-era military capabilities, with the UK reintroducing nuclear weapon-capable aircraft to its arsenal for the first time since the 1990s. Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted increasing nuclear attack risks to the UK, describing the purchase as a crucial step towards enhancing national security amid rising global tensions.