Washington [US], March 9: In a statement, Mr. Goemaere said that the above certification of the F-35A 's capabilities was achieved on October 12, 2023, several months before committing to NATO allies that this process would end in January 2024, according to Breaking Defense newspaper on March 8.
Some F-35As will now be capable of carrying the B61-12 , officially making this stealth fighter a "dual-capable" aircraft, able to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons.
"The F-35A is the first fifth-generation nuclear-capable aircraft and the first fighter or bomber to achieve this status since the 1990s...The F-35A has achieved Nuclear certification ahead of schedule, providing the US and NATO with important capabilities to support US extended deterrence commitments earlier than expected," Mr. Goemaere emphasized.
Responding to a question from Breaking Defense , Mr. Goemaere said that US disclosure policy prohibits the disclosure of information about dual-capable aircraft between NATO partners.
As of 2023, about 100 older versions of the B61 bomb are being stored by NATO allies Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, according to analysis by the Federation of American Scientists.
In particular, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are all countries that have planned to operate the F-35, with the need to own aircraft capable of carrying nuclear warheads being the main reason why Germany signed to participate in the program. F-35 program.
The F-35A is certified to carry only the newer B61-12 version, which will replace older models. In addition, the B61-12 carrier certification does not apply to similar versions of the F-35 stealth aircraft, the F-35B (short takeoff and vertical landing) as well as the F-35C (operational from aircraft carriers).
Previously, the F-15E was the first US fighter to be proven compatible with the B61-12. Three other types of fighter aircraft, the F-16A/B, F-16C/D and PA-200 Tornado, used by some NATO member countries, are also allowed to carry nuclear weapons, according to Breaking Defense.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
