The UK has decoupled from it’s nuclear arsenal from the U.S. and partnered with France pursuant to the Northwoods Declaration. Officials cite “that the United States is no longer seen as quite a reliable defense partner.”
The UK has decoupled from it’s nuclear arsenal from the U.S. and partnered with France pursuant to the Northwoods Declaration. Officials cite “that the United States is no longer seen as quite a reliable defense partner.”
The UK’s nuclear arsenal is still dependent on the US for maintenance, with warheads going to North Carolina periodically.
The new strategic nukes Starmer is ordering will be tied into the US infrastructure, as are the F-35s to launch them, though given the last-resort nature of nuclear weapons, their actual purpose may be to keep Trump onside politically while Britain’s everyday military capabilities integrate more closely with its European neighbours.
I expect the agreements for anything happening now or in the near future were cemented several years ago. If the US continues on the track it is on then the number of large new investments may decline.