New American nuclear bombs, due to arrive in Europe next year, will actually arrive this year amid fears Putin could use one of his own nuclear weapons over Ukraine.
B61-12 air-dropped gravity bombs, an updated version of America’s main nuclear bomb, will be delivered to European allies this December rather than spring of 2023, according to a diplomatic cable seen by Politico.
The new bomb, which is said to be more accurate than its predecessor, will be distributed at storage sites across the continent, with older versions being removed.
The move comes amid nuclear saber-rattling by Putin, who has repeatedly threatened to use Russia’s nuclear arsenal against the West over the war in Ukraine.
American-made B-61-12 nuclear bombs (pictured being dropped during a training exercise) scheduled to arrive in Europe next spring will actually arrive this December, it has been announced
The new shipment was discussed at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Europe two weeks ago, the Pentagon and State Department were told in a cable that was then leaked to journalists.
Alongside discussing bombs, the cable reveals that NATO allies are concerned about the possibility of Putin going nuclear and want to form a united front against him.
It said: “Faced with the increasing volume and scope of Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, a subgroup of allies requested continued consultations with NATO to ensure continued preparedness and consistent messages.”
The cable adds that 15 allies were concerned that NATO “must not give in to Putin’s nuclear blackmail.”
Politico said the telegram’s contents had been confirmed by two sources, but Brigadier General Patrick Ryder — Pentagon spokesman — denied the schedule had been rushed.
The modernization of the B-61 bombs has been underway for a long time, the general said, and “it is unrelated to current events in Ukraine and has not been accelerated in any way.”
The news was discussed at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels two weeks ago and then leaked to the public via a diplomatic cable
Putin yesterday conducted Russia’s annual nuclear test exercises – dubbed “Grom” or “Thunder” – which included the launch of long-range missiles (pictured).
Only three NATO allies – the US, Britain and France – possess nuclear weapons, but the warheads and weapons that deploy them are scattered across the alliance.
The Alliance maintains primarily strategic nuclear weapons – doomsday devices designed to wipe out entire cities or countries – as a deterrent to attack.
However, NATO also has a smaller stockpile of so-called “tactical” nuclear weapons, intended to be used for tactical advantage in combat.
Russia, meanwhile, claims to have the world’s largest nuclear arsenal of 6,500 warheads, containing a mix of strategic and tactical.
Just yesterday, Putin oversaw a huge nuclear exercise — “Grom” or “Thunder” — that included the test launch of weapons, including the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile designed to carry some of its largest warheads.
The Russian nuclear submarine fleet, carrying sorting missiles and nuclear bombers, also took part in the exercises.
Russian state propagandists said the drills were a rehearsal for the destruction of Britain and the US, but stressed that would only happen if Russia were attacked first.
Putin has repeatedly threatened the West with Russia’s nuclear arsenal over the war in Ukraine and has vowed that he is “not bluffing” by using the weapons.
NATO is also conducting nuclear exercises – dubbed Steadfast Noon – with fighter jets, bombers and refueling planes flying over Britain, Belgium and the North Sea.
The exercise began last week and is scheduled to last through Sunday, in which 14 of NATO’s 30 member states are participating.
Around 60 aircraft, including fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, joined the exercise, while surveillance and refueling aircraft conducted training flights.
US long-range B-52 bombers also took part, having flown in from Minot Air Base in North Dakota.
NATO has decided to press ahead with the exercise despite the war in Ukraine, and the coalition’s chief Jens Stoltenberg said it would send a “very wrong signal” to Putin if they backed down.
The Russian despot has repeatedly threatened the West with its own nuclear arsenal because of the Ukraine war, which its troops are slowly losing.
In his recent nuclear rant, he falsely accused NATO of attacking Russia and said anyone who threatened him with nuclear weapons could become a target themselves.
“I don’t bluff,” he added.