US positions upgraded nuclear weapons in Europe
The US National Nuclear Security Administration reports that the new B61-12 gravity bombs are “fully forward deployed.” Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to the US National Nuclear Security Administration, the new B61-12 gravity bombs are “fully forward deployed.”
The United States has finished modernizing its main thermonuclear weapon, as stated by NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby, who highlighted that the B61-12 variant of the gravity bomb has already been stationed at military bases in Europe as part of NATO’s nuclear weapons-sharing program.
The B61 family of bombs has been operational for over 50 years. The B61-12 Life Extension Program commenced in 2008 to refurbish the bomb’s nuclear and non-nuclear components, extending its service life by a minimum of 20 years. Earlier this month, the NNSA announced that the program has concluded with the production of the final planned unit of the B61-12.
“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 remarked during her speech at the Hudson Institute on Thursday.
While Hruby did not provide additional details on “full forward deployment,” previous B61 versions have been stored in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement. Moscow estimates that at least 150 such bombs are currently deployed throughout Europe, effectively lowering the nuclear threshold.
Reports indicate that the US plans to also deploy its nuclear capabilities in the UK, referencing procurement contracts for a new Pentagon facility at the RAF station in Lakenheath, Suffolk, designated for housing 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 added, without elaborating on specifics.
In November, the Pentagon revealed adjustments to its nuclear deterrence strategy. Key components of this strategy include enhancing the readiness of nuclear-armed Ohio-class submarines and developing the B61-13 gravity bomb to provide the US with “additional options against certain harder and larger military targets.” The NNSA confirmed that it is already in the process of transitioning to the production of this new variant.
The Kremlin has repeatedly criticized the escalation of US military assets, cautioning that the global deployment of nuclear-capable bombs and missiles may lead to a proportional response. In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin mandated a change in the country’s nuclear doctrine to specify 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 adjustments to Russia’s nuclear doctrine were approved in November, following the authorization by the US and several Western countries for Ukraine to utilize foreign-made long-range weapons for offensive actions deep into Russian territory, despite Moscow's warnings that this could escalate the conflict and result in NATO's direct involvement.
In response to Ukraine's cross-border strikes, which employed US-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems, along with British-French Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, Russia conducted a “combat test” of its latest Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile against a military facility in Ukraine.
Last month, Russia and Belarus finalized a security treaty that solidifies plans to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus by 2025. Moscow claims these missiles cannot be intercepted by existing Western defense systems and are capable of hitting targets across Europe within minutes.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
The United States has finished modernizing its main thermonuclear weapon, as stated by NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby, who highlighted that the B61-12 variant of the gravity bomb has already been stationed at military bases in Europe as part of NATO’s nuclear weapons-sharing program.
The B61 family of bombs has been operational for over 50 years. The B61-12 Life Extension Program commenced in 2008 to refurbish the bomb’s nuclear and non-nuclear components, extending its service life by a minimum of 20 years. Earlier this month, the NNSA announced that the program has concluded with the production of the final planned unit of the B61-12.
“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 remarked during her speech at the Hudson Institute on Thursday.
While Hruby did not provide additional details on “full forward deployment,” previous B61 versions have been stored in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement. Moscow estimates that at least 150 such bombs are currently deployed throughout Europe, effectively lowering the nuclear threshold.
Reports indicate that the US plans to also deploy its nuclear capabilities in the UK, referencing procurement contracts for a new Pentagon facility at the RAF station in Lakenheath, Suffolk, designated for housing 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 added, without elaborating on specifics.
In November, the Pentagon revealed adjustments to its nuclear deterrence strategy. Key components of this strategy include enhancing the readiness of nuclear-armed Ohio-class submarines and developing the B61-13 gravity bomb to provide the US with “additional options against certain harder and larger military targets.” The NNSA confirmed that it is already in the process of transitioning to the production of this new variant.
The Kremlin has repeatedly criticized the escalation of US military assets, cautioning that the global deployment of nuclear-capable bombs and missiles may lead to a proportional response. In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin mandated a change in the country’s nuclear doctrine to specify 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 adjustments to Russia’s nuclear doctrine were approved in November, following the authorization by the US and several Western countries for Ukraine to utilize foreign-made long-range weapons for offensive actions deep into Russian territory, despite Moscow's warnings that this could escalate the conflict and result in NATO's direct involvement.
In response to Ukraine's cross-border strikes, which employed US-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems, along with British-French Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, Russia conducted a “combat test” of its latest Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile against a military facility in Ukraine.
Last month, Russia and Belarus finalized a security treaty that solidifies plans to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus by 2025. Moscow claims these missiles cannot be intercepted by existing Western defense systems and are capable of hitting targets across Europe within minutes.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
