RAF to restore airborne nuclear-strike role with F‑35A fleet, says new chief Harv Smyth

Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth said the RAF is moving swiftly to reintroduce a nuclear-strike capability as a high priority, restoring an airborne deterrent using its F‑35A fleet under NATO's dual-capable mission. He said he expects adversaries to take note of the change.

Discovered 2025-09-11T08:37:25.327722-07:00 | 2025-09-11T08:37:25.327722-07:00

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Restoring an airborne nuclear role follows the UK government's order of 12 Lockheed Martin F‑35A fighters capable of carrying nuclear bombs, linking procurement decisions directly to operational doctrine.
The announcement comes from the RAF's incoming leader and reflects explicit service-level prioritisation after the confirmation of Harv Smyth as Chief of the Air Staff, signalling near-term policy and force-posture momentum.
The move has alliance and deterrence implications amid broader strategic friction highlighted at recent defence forums, including the RAF chief's convening of air and space leaders to discuss a ‘Next Storm Rising’ in geopolitics.

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