According to multiple media reports, the United States has recently deployed several B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs to Lakenheise Air Force Base in Suffolk, UK. This is the second time the United States has deployed nuclear weapons in the UK since withdrawing them in 2008. This move by the United States and the United Kingdom will profoundly affect NATO's nuclear policy and the security situation in the European region. Multiple indications suggest that British media reported in late July that several B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs had arrived at Lakenheise Air Force Base. According to the data, Laikensis Air Force Base is one of the farthest US air force bases in Europe from Russia. In the late 1940s, Britain transferred control of the base to the United States Air Force in Europe. During the Cold War, the United States deployed nuclear weapons at the base. In 2008, the United States withdrew all nuclear weapons from Lakenheiser Air Force Base. However, the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Squadron remains stationed at the base and continues to participate in NATO nuclear exercises. The 493rd and 495th fighter squadrons under this squadron have been equipped with newer F-35A fighter jets, while the other two fighter squadrons are equipped with F-15E fighter jets. Both types of fighter jets mentioned above can carry B61 series nuclear bombs. Neither the US nor the UK has officially acknowledged the return of US nuclear weapons to the UK. A US Department of Defense official stated, 'According to long-term policy, we will not disclose the presence of US nuclear weapons at any specific location.' However, multiple indications suggest that these nuclear weapons have been stored in place. The US website "Power" revealed in late July that the latest commemorative coin issued by the US Air Force's 493rd Fighter Squadron made its debut at the British International Air Show from July 18th to 20th, providing evidence for the return of US nuclear weapons to the UK. The commemorative coin has a shape similar to a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion, with a representative pattern of the squadron printed on the front, the outline of the B61 tactical nuclear bomb visible in the center, and a colorful pattern of the nuclear explosion scene on the back. British media reported that a US Air Force C-17 transport plane carried out the transportation mission of this batch of nuclear bombs. The aircraft belongs to the 62nd Air Transport Squadron, the only transport aircraft unit of the US Air Force capable of routinely transporting nuclear weapons. It is reported that the transport plane took off from Cortland Air Force Base in New Mexico, where the US Air Force stores nuclear weapons, and arrived at Lakenheiser Air Force Base on July 17th. The Federation of American Scientists, which has long been prepared to monitor global nuclear developments, believes in a related report that the return of US nuclear weapons to the UK is not a sudden move, but has already laid the groundwork. The Pentagon's 2023 fiscal year budget document mentions that the United States is upgrading its nuclear weapon storage facilities located in Europe. In addition to the existing nuclear weapons storage facilities in the air bases of Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Türkiye, the United States will also upgrade the relevant storage facilities in the United Kingdom. In the NATO 2023 fiscal year security investment plan budget, the UK's Lakenheiser Air Force Base is also included in the list of bases that will receive upgrades to their 'special weapons' storage facilities. The so-called 'special weapons' refer to the disguised description of nuclear weapons in official US documents. The Times of London reported that in recent years, the United States has been upgrading the facilities at Lakenheiser Air Force Base in preparation for receiving B61 series nuclear bombs. The main measures include adding shelters, barriers, and supporting communication systems to defend against ballistic missile attacks. At present, the base has the conditions to store B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs. The specific use of the US nuclear weapons returning to the UK has sparked many speculations from the outside world. According to reports, the 48th Fighter Squadron of the US Air Force deployed at Lakenheiser Air Force Base was the earliest overseas unit of the US military authorized to use the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb. British Prime Minister Stammer announced at the NATO Hague Summit in June this year that the UK will purchase at least 12 F-35A fighter jets from the United States. This fighter jet obtained nuclear strike qualification certification in March 2024 and is capable of carrying B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs. It is expected that these fighter jets will be deployed at Malham Air Force Base in Norfolk, UK and join the NATO Air Nuclear Task Force. According to relevant information, the unit price for purchasing American made F-35A fighter jets in the UK ranges from 75 million to 80 million pounds, with a total cost of over 900 million pounds for 12 F-35A aircraft. In addition, the cost of redeveloping air launched nuclear weapons is too high, and the UK is likely to choose to share the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb with the United States. After the end of the Cold War, Britain retired the Vulcan bomber and its WE177 tactical nuclear bomb in 1998. Afterwards, Britain's nuclear deterrence measures were limited to strategic nuclear submarines equipped with American made Trident submarine launched missiles. In the future, the British Air Force will regain the ability to project nuclear weapons from the air and restore the layout of nuclear deterrence forces based on sea and air. The strategic impact is far-reaching. According to foreign media, the United States' deployment of nuclear weapons in the UK is closely related to the current security situation in Europe, and deterring Russia is its main purpose. This further reinforces the warning and pressure level of the "50 day ultimatum" recently issued by US President Trump to Russia. Especially, unlike the "nuclear sharing" model of the United States in other NATO member countries (where the United States produces nuclear bombs and member countries produce personnel and aircraft), the US nuclear deployment in the UK can fully achieve the "Americanization" of "personnel, aircraft, and bombs". In addition, the right to use British nuclear weapons is also substantially controlled by the United States, which will significantly enhance the flexibility and response efficiency of US nuclear forces. At a time when the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to tension in the relations between Russia and NATO, the nuclear deployment of the United States and Britain, which is full of cold war flavor, will only aggravate the nuclear confrontation in Europe and make the global nuclear security situation even more tense. In addition, Britain and France announced at the London Summit on July 10th that the two countries will coordinate the use of nuclear forces. Some comments suggest that these developments signify a significant shift in NATO's nuclear strategy. The active role of NATO European member states as a "springboard" for nuclear deterrence against Russia will endanger the strategic stability of the European region and trigger a new round of nuclear arms race. In addition, fighter jets carrying nuclear bombs from the United States and its NATO allies are difficult to accurately distinguish between routine combat missions and nuclear strike missions when they appear in tense military confrontations or conflict areas, which can easily lead to misjudgment, accidental strikes, and even accidental nuclear risks. (New Society)