F-35 Jet Trained in the U.S. to Carry Nuclear Bombs – What Might Israel’s Options Be?
This is a development that has been ongoing in the United States in recent years to provide the fighter jet with the capability to penetrate Iron Dome batteries and drop a nuclear bomb in the area of interest
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 11/03/2024
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
According to reports in the United States, the F35 aircraft has obtained all the necessary licenses to carry the B61-12 nuclear bomb. This is part of a development process that has been ongoing in recent years in the United States, aimed at providing the fighter jet with the capability to penetrate Iron Dome batteries and drop a nuclear bomb in the area of interest.
The United States, like any other nuclear power, ensures it has multiple options for nuclear attack, including from the air, sea, and land. Redundancy in nuclear warfare is the name of the game, assuming the adversary destroys part of your offensive nuclear arsenal.
“F-35As being able to deliver nuclear strikes will add major credibility to NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture in Europe,” says Thomas Newdick in an article published The Warzone website, adding that “The F-35’s added survivability will complicate Moscow’s ability to defend against these strikes.”
Following the development by the United States, one might wonder about potential similar Israeli capabilities. According to foreign reports, Israel possesses an offensive nuclear arsenal. According to publicly available information, Israel has F35 aircraft - including one for testing Israeli combat systems.
A simple inference would suggest that Israel also aspires to such capability, assuming that what is attributed to the country is correct. Israel, too, has adversaries who continuously enhance their missile defense systems, some of which are procured from Western sources.
Assuming that foreign reports are accurate regarding Israel's capabilities in this regard, Israel also needs to showcase nuclear deterrence, even if ambiguous and indirect. Like in the United States, the F35 aircraft in Israel is part of this strategic direction.
Can the US transfer B61-12 bombs to Israel?
Well, not really. The US does not officially recognize Israel as a nuclear state. If it were to do so, Israel would be expected to face sanctions due to the alleged illegal development of nuclear weapons attributed to it. Even if there were an American president who genuinely wanted to do so, he would face a long and complex political process.
This is a development that has been ongoing in the United States in recent years to provide the fighter jet with the capability to penetrate Iron Dome batteries and drop a nuclear bomb in the area of interest
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
According to reports in the United States, the F35 aircraft has obtained all the necessary licenses to carry the B61-12 nuclear bomb. This is part of a development process that has been ongoing in recent years in the United States, aimed at providing the fighter jet with the capability to penetrate Iron Dome batteries and drop a nuclear bomb in the area of interest.
The United States, like any other nuclear power, ensures it has multiple options for nuclear attack, including from the air, sea, and land. Redundancy in nuclear warfare is the name of the game, assuming the adversary destroys part of your offensive nuclear arsenal.
“F-35As being able to deliver nuclear strikes will add major credibility to NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture in Europe,” says Thomas Newdick in an article published The Warzone website, adding that “The F-35’s added survivability will complicate Moscow’s ability to defend against these strikes.”
Following the development by the United States, one might wonder about potential similar Israeli capabilities. According to foreign reports, Israel possesses an offensive nuclear arsenal. According to publicly available information, Israel has F35 aircraft - including one for testing Israeli combat systems.
A simple inference would suggest that Israel also aspires to such capability, assuming that what is attributed to the country is correct. Israel, too, has adversaries who continuously enhance their missile defense systems, some of which are procured from Western sources.
Assuming that foreign reports are accurate regarding Israel's capabilities in this regard, Israel also needs to showcase nuclear deterrence, even if ambiguous and indirect. Like in the United States, the F35 aircraft in Israel is part of this strategic direction.
Can the US transfer B61-12 bombs to Israel?
Well, not really. The US does not officially recognize Israel as a nuclear state. If it were to do so, Israel would be expected to face sanctions due to the alleged illegal development of nuclear weapons attributed to it. Even if there were an American president who genuinely wanted to do so, he would face a long and complex political process.
