Is Doomsday Nigh? US Considers Deploying Nuclear Bombs Near Russia
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The United States is reportedly considering expanding its nuclear weapons deployment to include more NATO member countries in Europe, a strategic move that could significantly boost the performance of global defense companies.
CNBC International reports that discussions about this nuclear expansion will involve NATO member countries on the eastern side of Europe. Three sources who have been briefed on the highly confidential discussions revealed that countries on the eastern flank, such as Poland and several Baltic states, are likely to be interested in hosting nuclear-capable bombers, especially after President Donald Trump last month pledged to send thousands of new troops there.
The potential expansion of the deployment of weapons of mass destruction comes as the White House plans to reduce its conventional military support to the alliance. On the other hand, Europe is also working hard to reduce its dependence on Washington by increasing its defense spending amid concerns about the United States’ commitment to this security pact.
Currently, six NATO member countries, namely the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Turkey, are part of the alliance’s nuclear weapons-sharing arrangement, where they have been approved to host US dual-capable aircraft that can deploy nuclear missiles. However, this group could now be expanded to include additional countries in Europe as the region continues to increase its military spending.
Responding to the sensitive news, alliance officials said that they always monitor the global security situation from time to time. A NATO official affirmed the steps taken by the organization to adapt.
“NATO continues to monitor the security environment and adapt as needed,” the official said on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) local time.
The official also added that this evaluation is not a sudden response to the latest policies from the United States.
“Efforts to assess and potentially adapt NATO’s nuclear deterrent posture have been ongoing for several years and are not related to any decisions made by the United States to adjust its conventional posture in Europe,” the official added.
On the other hand, this geopolitical discourse is projected to be a breath of fresh air for the Western military industry. Head of Markets at AJ Bell, Dan Coatsworth, believes that a larger nuclear deployment in Europe will require more dual-capable aircraft such as the F-35 fighter jet, which can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons.
Coatsworth explained that the UK is a major player in the global supply chain for these fighter jets, involving major names such as BAE Systems, Cobham, Qinetiq, and Rolls-Royce. In addition to the UK, other major corporations involved in the manufacture of F-35 jets include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX.
In an email, Coatsworth explained the enormous commercial potential of this massive arms project.
“These aircraft cost a significant amount just to get in the air, and even more when you factor in ongoing maintenance. Therefore, an increased deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe could create significant revenue opportunities for many companies and generate many new jobs,” Coatsworth said.
The geopolitical tensions in the region have indeed been increasing in recent times. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte last week pledged to strengthen the alliance’s readiness to counter and defend against any threat after a Russian drone hit an apartment building in Romania, which is a member of NATO and the European Union.
In a post on social media X, Rutte reaffirmed the alliance’s firm position in maintaining its territorial sovereignty.
“NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory,” Rutte wrote, adding that Russia’s behavior is very reckless and a danger to all parties.