Nuclear Weapons Watch Thread

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France to boost nuclear arsenal, involve European allies in deterrence

March 2

France will expand its nuclear arsenal and will potentially allow European partners to host its aircraft on nuclear deterrence ‌missions, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, signalling a major doctrine change for France and the continent.

Though France and Britain are both nuclear powers, most European countries have relied primarily on the United States for deterring any potential adversaries — a decades-old pillar of transatlantic security.

France will expand its nuclear arsenal and will potentially allow European partners to host its aircraft on nuclear deterrence ‌missions, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, signalling a major doctrine change for France and the continent.

Though France and Britain are both nuclear powers, most European countries have relied primarily on the United States for deterring any potential adversaries — a decades-old pillar of transatlantic security.

[...]

France spends roughly 5.6 billion euros ($6.04 billion) a year to maintain its stockpile of 290 submarine- and air-launched weapons — the world's fourth-largest arsenal. Britain has 225 nuclear warheads. Russia and the United States have more than 5,000 each.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ma ... 026-03-02/

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UK must build own nuclear missiles, say Lib Dems

15 March 2026, 05:59 GMT

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey is calling on the government to start building a "fully independent British nuclear deterrent" to end the UK's reliance on the US.

The UK has operational control of its nuclear arsenal, including British-built warheads, but it depends on the US to supply and maintain the Trident missiles that would deliver them.

Sir Ed told the BBC: "When we've got presidents in the White House like Donald Trump, totally unreliable, I don't think we can have our nuclear deterrent dependent on the mood at breakfast of the person in the Oval Office."

The government said the UK had a deep and longstanding relationship with the US and played a key part in the security of Nato.

The UK was the third country in the world, after the US and Russia, to develop nuclear bombs, which were initially carried by a fleet of RAF aircraft.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0dz1k0rr4o



Lockheed Martin/PA Wire

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World Health Organization Prepares for Nuclear Scenario, Including Weapons Use, in Iran

Mar 18, 2026 12:27

The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing for the possibility of a nuclear-related incident as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, including scenarios involving strikes on nuclear facilities or the potential use of nuclear weapons.

According to Politico on March 18, WHO officials are monitoring the consequences of ongoing strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and maintaining a state of heightened readiness for radiation-related risks. The organization is updating internal protocols and guidance for staff and governments on how to respond in the event of a nuclear emergency.

WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhy stated that the organization is preparing for a wide range of scenarios. “Staff are ready for a nuclear incident, including an attack on a nuclear facility or the use of weapons,” she said, adding that the potential consequences could affect both the region and the wider world for decades.

According to Politico, WHO is also conducting additional training for personnel and developing updated recommendations on public health responses, including risk assessment and protective measures for civilians. The organization noted that no radioactive contamination has been detected in the region so far.

WHO outlined potential health risks, including acute lung and skin injuries, increased long-term cancer rates, and psychological effects following radiation exposure. The organization referenced past nuclear events, including the Chornobyl disaster and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as examples of long-term consequences.

https://united24media.com/latest-news/w ... iran-16995

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US Air Force breaks ground on next-gen nuclear missile silo
By David Szondy
April 05, 2026

When you have a new ICBM, you need a place to keep it, so Northrop Grumman is building a prototype silo for the US Air Force to house its next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile that will replace the Cold War Minuteman III.

The US nuclear deterrent strategy is based on three pillars: a bomber force, a submarine missile force, and a land-based missile force. Putting aside the interservice squabbling over who controls what, the rationale is that having three distinct ways of launching nuclear weapons makes it highly unlikely that an enemy could prevent a massive retaliatory strike by launching a surprise nuclear attack against the US.

Since 1970, the land-based deterrent has consisted mainly of a fleet of 550 LGM-30 Minuteman III missiles, of which 400 – each carrying a single warhead – remain on active service in 450 silos spread across Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana. However, they're all getting a bit long in the tooth, to the point where reliability and maintenance are becoming serious issues.

https://newatlas.com/military/us-air-fo ... sile-silo/

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