The US plans to deploy nuclear weapons to Britain for the first time in 15 years amid a growing threat from Russia. Under the proposals, warheads three times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb would be stationed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath base in Suffolk, The Guardian and news.ro reported with reference to The Telegraph.

The United States previously stationed nuclear missiles at RAF Lakenheath and removed them in 2008. Pentagon documents, which the newspaper has seen, reveal contracts for the purchase of a new facility at the air base.

A Ministry of Defense spokesman said: “UK and NATO policy does not confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons in a particular location.”

Senior figures on both sides of the Atlantic have recently urged Britain to be ready in the event of a potential war between NATO forces and Russia. Earlier this week, Sir Patrick Sanders, the commander-in-chief of the British army, said the 74,000-strong regular army should be reinforced by at least 45,000 reservists and civilians to be better prepared for a possible conflict.

Downing Street ruled out any move to conscription, saying conscription would remain voluntary.

US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro urged Britain to “reassess” the size of its armed forces in light of “threats that exist today”.

Downing Street is in favor of UK government defense spending, saying Britain is Washington’s best partner in strikes against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea precisely because of its “military power”.