Main image: The German Air Force base at Büchel is considered one of the storage sites for U.S. B61 nuclear bombs in Europe. Source: picture alliance / Harald Tittel / dpa
NATO is considering the deployment of additional U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe, according to dpa.
The Alliance is preparing plans to strengthen its nuclear deterrence posture in response to threats from Russia.
One option under consideration is the deployment of additional U.S. nuclear weapons, primarily non-strategic munitions that could be used against military forces, air bases, ports and command centers.
Experts suggest that the United States may have already transferred B61-12 nuclear bombs to RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. If the security situation continues to deteriorate, additional storage sites could be established in Poland, Finland and Lithuania.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has not ruled out increasing the number of U.S. nuclear weapons stationed in Europe. According to him, the Alliance is continuously assessing what capabilities are needed to respond to a potential nuclear attack.
According to expert estimates, around 100 B61-12 bombs are currently stored at six air bases in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Türkiye.
Neither NATO nor the United States discloses the exact number of nuclear weapons or the full list of storage locations.
