The Pentagon has decided to accelerate the program for the deployment of modernized B61-12 nuclear bombs in Europe and Turkey, which should replace the older version of the B61.
According to the news of Politico, which is based on diplomatic sources knowledgeable on the subject, the United States has decided to accelerate the deployment of B61-12 thermonuclear bombs developed at NATO bases in Europe.
The ammunition modernization program is estimated at $10 billion. The new program is reportedly designed to replace earlier versions, including about 100 bombs stored at airbases in Turkey, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.
It Could Worsen the Situation in Europe
The B61-12 grenade retains the power of the previous model – 0.3, 1.5, 10 or 50 kilotons – and the main feature of the new weapon is the tail fin. The B61-12 grenade is now directional and more accurate; In this way, it is stated that it can be dropped from an aircraft flying at high altitude and then the bomb can glide towards the target autonomously.
The first batch of the new nuclear warhead will arrive at military bases in Europe as early as December 2022, instead of late 2023 or 2024 as previously planned. According to many observers, the decision to pull early could worsen the already dangerous situation in Europe.
