F-35 Aircraft: Nuclear Weapons
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 73, by what year he plans to join the NATO Dual Capable Aircraft nuclear mission.
Answered by Luke Pollard
The delivery profile and date of F-35A aircraft is subject to negotiation between the UK and multinational Joint Program Office, but the UK anticipates taking delivery of the next batch of F-35 aircraft from the early 2030s. This will include 12 F-35As, which will allow the UK to join NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) mission.
We will continue to work closely with the US, whose nuclear weapons are allocated to the NATO DCA mission, and our other NATO Allies on the timeline for doing so.
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