NATO Nuclear Sharing Shift: US B61 Bombs May Expand
19FortyFive says NATO may expand nuclear sharing, with US B61 bombs and dual-capable jets in focus as Poland and Baltic states seek roles.
NATO may be preparing for its most sweeping revision of nuclear strategy since the Cold War, according to observers at 19FortyFive.
The authors say the conflict in Ukraine, along with doubts over U. S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to allied obligations, has pushed NATO members toward expanding the program for deploying American nuclear weapons on the territory of alliance states.
The article notes that the United States already stores nuclear munitions in several NATO countries for use in the event of war. European allies, however, cannot independently control these arsenals, as the final decision remains with Washington. Now, members of the alliance are looking to revise the existing nuclear sharing format.
The focus is on B61 gravity bombs, which are stationed in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom. According to the observers, F-35, F-15 and Tornado fighter jets are used as delivery platforms. In the event of an armed conflict, European allies would be able to use this weapon on the battlefield.
19FortyFive reports that no final decision has been made on where additional nuclear arsenals could be placed. Poland, however, has already openly expressed its interest in hosting U.S. nuclear weapons. Former Polish President Andrzej Duda also urged Warsaw to station American dual-capable aircraft on its territory, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear munitions.
The Baltic states have also signaled readiness to provide their territory for such deployments.