NATO’s nuclear policy was updated in 2024, shaped by the 2022 Strategic Concept to ensure credible deterrence and political control.
What modernization actually looks like
By 2026, NATO allies that host US nuclear weapons, apart from Turkey, are incorporating the F-35A Lightning II into their nuclear-sharing missions.
The UK has announced its intention to purchase 12 F-35A jets by 2025 specifically for NATO nuclear missions.
The US nuclear modernization program is expected to cost around $946 billion for operations and upgrades between 2025 and 2034. That covers delivery systems, warheads, and the sprawling infrastructure that keeps extended deterrence credible across the Atlantic.
