US positions enhanced nuclear arms in Europe
The US National Nuclear Security Administration has stated that the new B61-12 gravity bombs are “fully forward deployed.” Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The US has successfully completed the installation of its main thermonuclear weapon at military bases throughout Europe, as confirmed by National Nuclear Security Administration Director, Jill Hruby.
While specific details about “full forward deployment” were not provided, it has been noted that previous B61 variants have been stored in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing program. Moscow estimates that around 150 of these bombs are currently stationed in Europe, potentially lowering the nuclear threshold.
“The new B61-12 gravity bombs are fully forward deployed, and we have increased NATO’s visibility to our nuclear capabilities through visits to our enterprise and other regular engagements,” Hruby stated during her address at the Hudson Institute on Thursday.
Reports indicate that the US also plans to station its nuclear weapons in the UK, citing procurement contracts for a new Pentagon facility at the RAF station in Lakenheath, Suffolk, intended for the housing of B61-12 bombs.
“Our strategic partnership with the UK is very strong, as is their commitment to their nuclear deterrent. And we have advanced our thinking together about critical supply chain resilience,” Hruby remarked, without offering further specifics.
In November, the Pentagon revealed updates to its nuclear deterrence strategy, which includes heightened readiness of nuclear-armed and powered Ohio-class submarines as well as the development of the B61-13 gravity bomb for “additional options against certain harder and larger military targets.” The NNSA confirmed that production of the new bomb variant is already underway.
The Kremlin has consistently voiced opposition to US military enhancements, cautioning that the global placement of nuclear-capable weapons could trigger a proportional response. In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin adjusted the country’s nuclear doctrine to state that “an aggression against the Russian Federation and/or its allies by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state will be regarded as their joint attack.”
The changes were ratified in November after the US and other Western nations permitted Ukraine to utilize foreign-made long-range weapons for strikes into Russian territory, despite Moscow’s warnings that such actions would escalate the conflict and lead to NATO's direct involvement.
In response to Ukraine’s cross-border strikes employing US-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems, as well as British-French Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, Russia conducted a ‘combat test’ of its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile against a military facility in Ukraine.
Last month, Russia and Belarus finalized a security agreement to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus by 2025. Moscow claims these missiles cannot be intercepted by current Western defense systems and can hit targets across Europe within minutes.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
While specific details about “full forward deployment” were not provided, it has been noted that previous B61 variants have been stored in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing program. Moscow estimates that around 150 of these bombs are currently stationed in Europe, potentially lowering the nuclear threshold.
“The new B61-12 gravity bombs are fully forward deployed, and we have increased NATO’s visibility to our nuclear capabilities through visits to our enterprise and other regular engagements,” Hruby stated during her address at the Hudson Institute on Thursday.
Reports indicate that the US also plans to station its nuclear weapons in the UK, citing procurement contracts for a new Pentagon facility at the RAF station in Lakenheath, Suffolk, intended for the housing of B61-12 bombs.
“Our strategic partnership with the UK is very strong, as is their commitment to their nuclear deterrent. And we have advanced our thinking together about critical supply chain resilience,” Hruby remarked, without offering further specifics.
In November, the Pentagon revealed updates to its nuclear deterrence strategy, which includes heightened readiness of nuclear-armed and powered Ohio-class submarines as well as the development of the B61-13 gravity bomb for “additional options against certain harder and larger military targets.” The NNSA confirmed that production of the new bomb variant is already underway.
The Kremlin has consistently voiced opposition to US military enhancements, cautioning that the global placement of nuclear-capable weapons could trigger a proportional response. In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin adjusted the country’s nuclear doctrine to state that “an aggression against the Russian Federation and/or its allies by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state will be regarded as their joint attack.”
The changes were ratified in November after the US and other Western nations permitted Ukraine to utilize foreign-made long-range weapons for strikes into Russian territory, despite Moscow’s warnings that such actions would escalate the conflict and lead to NATO's direct involvement.
In response to Ukraine’s cross-border strikes employing US-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems, as well as British-French Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, Russia conducted a ‘combat test’ of its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile against a military facility in Ukraine.
Last month, Russia and Belarus finalized a security agreement to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus by 2025. Moscow claims these missiles cannot be intercepted by current Western defense systems and can hit targets across Europe within minutes.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
