Foto gbv.wilsoncenter.org.
At present, U.S. aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons are based on the territory of six NATO countries. According to the newspaper, the eastern flank of the alliance, primarily Poland and the Baltic states, are interested in their deployment.
We are talking about the so-called Dual-Capable Aircraft (DCA), which can perform both conventional and nuclear missions. At the same time, FT sources emphasize that no concrete decisions on expanding the nuclear presence have been made yet – consultations continue within NATO.
There is no official confirmation of this information yet. Reuters notes that it has not been able to independently verify the data of the Financial Times. The White House, the Pentagon and NATO have not responded to journalists’ requests.
Earlier, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Elbridge Colby said that Washington would maintain nuclear security guarantees for NATO allies even as European countries strengthen their own defense role.
The issue of defense spending remains one of the key sources of tension between the US and its European partners. Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for insufficient defense contributions and dependence on U.S. security guarantees.
