NATO Considers More Nuclear Weapons in Europe

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is working on plans to expand its nuclear deterrent in Europe in response to threats from Russia. One option is the deployment of additional US nuclear weapons on the continent.

According to the DPA news agency, experts do not rule out the possibility that the United States has already moved B61-12 bombs to Lakenheath Air Base in the United Kingdom.

Should the security situation deteriorate further, Poland, Finland and Lithuania could also be among the possible deployment sites.

The plans primarily concern non-strategic nuclear weapons intended for attacks against military targets, such as military units, airfields, ports and command centers.

According to estimates by nuclear experts, approximately 100 US B61-12 bombs remained in Europe after the end of the Cold War, deployed at six air bases in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte did not rule out the possibility that more US nuclear weapons could be deployed in Europe in the future. However, citing confidentiality, he declined to comment on the details of the ongoing consultations. He emphasized that the alliance is continuously assessing the necessary nuclear deterrence capabilities.

"Wherever adjustments are needed, we will make them. We must ensure that no one can attack us with nuclear weapons without us being able to respond", Rutte said.

(tagesspiegel, bak)