UK urged to discuss sharing nukes with Germany amid 'critical' Russian threat

Britain should consider sharing its nuclear weapons with Germany, senior defence officials have said. Berlin is already discussing how France could offer protections using its nuclear arsenal, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggesting he would like to have similar talks with Sir Keir Starmer.

The UK and France are Europe's sole nuclear powers, with NATO still heavily reliant on the umbrella provided by the United States. A former head of the British military and NATO secretary general are among those encouraging the UK to begin talks with Germany. It comes amid what has been described as a "critical" threat posed by Russia and continued rattling of the nuclear sabre by Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials.

Labour peer Lord Robertson, former UK defence secretary and NATO chief between 1999 and 2003, supports a pact with Germany, adding it "should have happened a long time ago".

He told The Telegraph: "If Russia continues to deploy nuclear rhetoric, it's going to force some decisions to be made inside Europe as a whole."

Britain's nuclear deterrent - Trident - is operated by four Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines and can be used in defence of NATO.

In June, the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear capabilities in a generation was announced.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed plans to purchase at least 12 F-35A fighter jets, capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons.

They have a lower but still powerful yield and are designed for specific battlefield uses, while Trident, known as a strategic weapon, focuses on the concept of mutually assured destruction.

Experts had previously warned that without the former, the UK didn't have access to the same "escalation ladder" as Russia.

Field Marshal Lord Houghton, chief of the defence staff between 2013 and 2016, said concerns over US military commitment to Europe means the UK stepping up with its nuclear deterrent "has to be something that is on our minds".

Speaking to The Telegraph, he questioned whether this is a "good thing" or "madness", adding his "personal jury is out on it".

Another retired senior officer also speaking to the newspaper expressed reservations.

As it stands, there have been no talks between the UK and Germany over a pact, reports suggest.

An MoD spokesperson said: "Since 1962, the UK has declared our nuclear deterrent to the defence of our NATO allies. We will continue to do so, safeguarding European and NATO security."