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The UK is set to acquire 12 F-35 stealth fighter jets made in the US, which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, as part of a major update to the nation’s defense strategy.

According to the plans, Britain will become part of Nato’s airborne nuclear mission, with the F-35A jets anticipated to carry American nuclear bombs, as the military alliance addresses the increasing threat from Russia.

The UK government’s decision to purchase these jets represents a significant enhancement of the country’s nuclear deterrent. At present, the UK can only deploy nuclear weapons from its Vanguard class submarines, equipped with Trident ballistic missiles.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will announce the acquisition of the F-35A jets on Wednesday at a Nato summit in The Hague, where US President Donald Trump is expected to press European members of the alliance to increase their spending on defence.

Starmer said: “In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security, ensuring our armed forces have the equipment they need and communities up and down the country reap the benefits from our defence dividend.”

The F-35 jet is made by Lockheed Martin of the US, but crucial components are manufactured in Britain.

The Nato summit is likely to be contentious due to Trump’s demands that European members of the alliance increase their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP.

Mark Rutte, Nato secretary-general, has drawn up plans for allies to allocate 3.5 per cent of their GDP to core military spending and 1.5 per cent to areas such as cyber and infrastructure by 2035, to fill gaps in European capabilities.

Rutte praised the UK commitment to buy the F-35A jets. “The UK has declared its nuclear deterrent to Nato for many decades, ​and I strongly welcome [the] announcement that the UK will now also join Nato’s nuclear mission and procure the F-35A.”

The UK purchase restores an atomic role to the Royal Air Force for the first time since the country retired its air launched nuclear weapons at the end of the cold war.

The F-35A can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons, and the new jets will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

The UK is already operating dozens of F-35B jets, notably from two Royal Navy aircraft carriers, but they are not capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

The government said it was committed to buying 138 F-35s in total.