NATO is planning to bolster its nuclear deterrence in Europe in response to ongoing threats from Russia, including the possibility of deploying more US nuclear weapons in the region. According to reports, the Western defense alliance is evaluating whether to place additional weapons at bases across the continent.
One of the options under consideration involves the B61-12 bomb, a non-strategic weapon with a lower explosive yield than its strategic counterparts. These bombs are designed to target military infrastructure such as enemy troop concentrations, airfields, and command centers. Fighter jets and shorter-range missiles often carry them.
An estimated 100 B61-12 bombs are currently stored at six air force bases in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey. These stockpiles remain from the large-scale nuclear disarmament efforts that followed the Cold War.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in an interview with dpa conducted in mid-July, confirmed that the alliance is continuously reviewing its nuclear capabilities and what its deterrent posture should look like. He did not rule out the possibility of more US nuclear weapons being stationed in Europe but declined to provide details due to confidentiality concerns.
If the security situation worsens, countries like Poland, Finland, and Lithuania—located near Russia's borders—could become potential basing locations. These nations are not currently home to US nuclear weapons.