Thread by @TelegraphWorld

US to send hi-tech nuclear weapons to Nato bases amid rising tensions with Russia

Deployment of B61-12 tactical bombs to Europe comes after Moscow held military exercises showcasing its own ballistic capabilities

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telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…

🔴America is to bring forward the delivery of dozens of highly accurate guided tactical nuclear weapons to Europe amid escalating tensions with Moscow

➡️In what was seen as a move to reassure Nato allies amid Russian nuclear-sabre-rattling, the replacement process will begin in December, having previously been expected next spring

🔴The new B61-12 thermonuclear bombs are "dial-a-yield" devices, meaning their payload can be changed. They are expected to be sent to Nato bases within weeks

➡️B61-12s have four yields that can be selected - 0.3, 1.5, 10 or 50 kilotons.

The 12ft-long weapons feature new tailkits that allow them to be dropped from planes as a "dumb" gravity bomb, or in "guided drop" mode, with an accuracy of within 30 metres
telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…

🔴The move is part of a decade-long $10 billion upgrade programme for several variants of B61-class unguided nuclear bombs, which first became part of the US arsenal in 1968

➡️In what was seen as a move to reassure Nato allies amid Russian nuclear-sabre-rattling, the replacement process will begin in December, having previously been expected next spring

The US bombs being delivered to Europe can be dropped by a variety of aircraft including B-2 stealth bombers, and smaller warplanes like the F-15, F-35 and Tornado.

Read more about the bombs here ⬇️
telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…