The US air force has secured $50m (£39m) funding next year for a project that could pave the way for American nuclear weapons to return to British soil for the first time in 15 years.
In justifying the expenditure on a 144-bed dormitory at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, the USAF told Congress the building was intended.
to "house the increase in enlisted personnel as the result of the potential surety mission", which is jargon typically used by the Pentagon to refer to handling of nuclear weapons, according to experts.
Construction of the dormitory is due to start in June 2024 and last until February 2026. It is the latest in a series of signs that preparations are under way for a possible return of US nuclear weapons to British territory.
Matt Korda, of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), who first reported on the budget request, said: "The mention of the arrival of the potential surety mission caught my eye as that is a buzzword, a term commonly used in the defence department and the nuclear weapons complex to refer to the positive control of nuclear weapons in a safe and secure way." The FAS previously reported that in the 2023 defence budget, Britain was added to the list of countries where infrastructure investment was under way on "special weapons" storage sites in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.
Denne historien er fra August 30, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 30, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
World's largest known coral found near Solomon Islands
The world's largest known coral, visible from space, has been discovered in the waters of the Solomon Islands.
Two are charged over orange spray attack on monoliths of Stonehenge
Two people have been charged over an incident in which an orange substance was sprayed at the ancient monoliths of Stonehenge.
I've lied and been selfish, says Sara Sharif's father
Sara Sharif's father has admitted being \"selfish\" and a \"bad father\" by lying to protect himself over the death of his 10-year-old daughter.
Malkinson says justice ministry has 'left him to rot' over payout wait
Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in jail for a crime he did not commit, says the Ministry of Justice has left him \"to rot\" after telling him he is likely to wait months before learning if he is even eligible for compensation.
Firm run by Tory donor Bamford funds £8,000 helicopter trip for Farage
A firm run by the major Conservative donor Lord Bamford has funded an £8,000 helicopter trip for the Reform leader, Nigel Farage.
Dream day for Labour with Tories firing blanks and no crises looming - except a big orange one
The only annoyance was Trump, who casually announced a 20% tariff on imports. So much for the special relationship
Doctors Many staff would use 'conscience clause', says BMA
A large number of NHS medical staff in England and Wales are likely to exercise a \"conscience clause\" if assisted dying is legalised by parliament, doctors say.
Kendall confirms support for assisted dying bill as row grows over law change
Liz Kendall has become the first cabinet minister to confirm she will vote for the assisted dying bill since it was published, as the row intensified over the proposed law change.
Russian chef and critic of Putin dies in Belgrade hotel room
Tributes have been paid to a London-based Russian chef, television presenter and writer after he was found dead in Belgrade.
Colman's heir asked to stop volunteering in church over Smyth link
The heir to the Colman's mustard dynasty and his wife, a member of the clergy, have been asked by the Church of England to step back from their roles in a church after being named in a damning report on a sadistic abuser.
