UK says it will buy F-35 jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs

The U.K. says it will buy 12 U.S.-made F35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs and join NATO’s shared airborne nuclear mission. NATO chief Mark Rutte called the announcement “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.” The decision marks a major expansion of the U.K.’s nuclear deterrent. The U.K. phased out air-dropped atomic weapons in the 1990s. Its nuclear arsenal now consists of submarine-based missiles. Only three NATO members are nuclear powers, but seven nations contribute to the alliance’s nuclear mission by contributing jets that can carry American B61 bombs stockpiled in Europe. The announcements come as the U.K. and other NATO members are pledging to increase spending on security to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035.