Calls for nuclear weapons transparency are growing after reports suggested the US Air Force moved nuclear bombs to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Flight tracking data revealed a heavy-lift C-17A Globemaster flew from New Mexico to the UK last week, raising suspicions.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “come clean” about the alleged deployment. Neither the US nor UK governments confirm nuclear movements, but experts say evidence points to B61-12 thermonuclear bombs arriving.
Aviation analysts noted the C-17A’s unusual route and refueling over the Atlantic. Former NATO arms control expert William Alberque said the flight details strongly suggest a nuclear payload. “The balance of evidence has tipped from ‘no’ to ‘yes,'” he stated.
The aircraft took off from a US nuclear weapons center, used a sensitive military callsign, and avoided ground refueling all signs of a high-security mission. Suffolk aviation specialist Roger Smith agreed, citing the plane’s link to the Prime Nuclear Airlift Force.
CND chairman Tom Unterrainer condemned the secrecy, demanding nuclear weapons transparency. “The public deserves a parliamentary debate, not vague reports,” he said. The UK and US governments reiterated their policy of neither confirming nor denying nuclear deployments.
If confirmed, this would mark the first US nuclear weapons in Britain since 2008. RAF Lakenheath’s F-35A jets are certified to carry the B61-12 bomb, adding weight to the claims.
Alberque called the flight a deliberate signal, possibly to adversaries like Russia. Critics argue hiding such moves undermines trust, while supporters say secrecy is vital for security.
With global tensions rising, the lack of nuclear weapons transparency risks public backlash. Campaigners insist Starmer must address the issue directly before speculation spirals further.
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