The UK government is to purchase 12 new fighter jets which can be equipped with nuclear bombs, and join Nato's airborne nuclear mission. Downing Street says the move is "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation".

The decision means that Britain’s air force will have a nuclear role for the first time since the end of the Cold War.

The U.K. says it will buy 12 U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs and join NATO’s shared airborne nuclear mission