US weighs expanding nuclear weapons deployment in Europe as allies seek reassurance, FT reports

The United States is evaluating the possibility of deploying nuclear-capable aircraft in more European NATO member states, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing three people familiar with the discussions. The talks are described as highly confidential and may not lead to any changes in existing nuclear-sharing arrangements.

What is being discussed

The proposal would allow additional countries to host US dual-capable aircraft (DCA), planes that can carry out both conventional and nuclear strikes. Currently, the NATO nuclear-sharing programme includes Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Washington retains exclusive control over the use of the weapons stationed in those countries.

US officials have expressed a willingness to discuss deployments beyond the six countries that currently host nuclear-capable bombers, according to the FT sources. The discussions are framed as a way to demonstrate continued American commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella, even as NATO allies face pressure to assume a greater share of the conventional defence burden.

Eastern flank interest

Countries on NATO's eastern flank, including Poland and some Baltic states, have shown interest in hosting DCA bases. Polish officials in particular have publicly expressed their desire to host nuclear weapons. Former president Andrzej Duda urged the United States to extend the DCA initiative to Polish territory.

Warsaw also joined a new French initiative this year to explore, for the first time, the possibility of temporarily relocating parts of France's nuclear deterrent capability to allied European countries. In March, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland was in talks with France and a group of close European allies on an advanced nuclear deterrence programme.

Context of the talks

The discussions take place against a backdrop of growing concern in Europe over President Donald Trump's moves to withdraw US troops and critical weapons systems from the continent. The FT noted that Trump ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 soldiers from Germany and cancelled the planned deployment of another 4,000 troops to Poland without prior consultation with allies.

The willingness to discuss an expansion aims to demonstrate the United States' commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella, even as NATO allies are pressured to assume a greater conventional defence burden.

Russian factor

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and repeated statements by President Vladimir Putin about the Kremlin's nuclear capabilities have reinforced the interest of some allies in hosting DCA bases, according to the FT's sources. The sources added, however, that any eventual agreement is not imminent.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently stated there is a common understanding that Europe's defence must remain at the same level, even if the United States concentrates a smaller portion of its resources on the continent.

Poland is in talks with France and a group of closest European allies on an advanced nuclear deterrence programme. We are arming ourselves with friends so that enemies do not dare to attack us.