US expands Nato base storing nuclear-capable jets in Hungary

Plan comes in the wake of numerous warnings that Russia could be ready to fight a war by the end of the decade

The United States is planning to expand a European military base to accommodate nuclear-capable fighter jets to counter the threat from Russia.
Government procurement contracts show plans for an upgrade to bring the Kecskemet air base up to scratch as part of the US’s European Defence Initiative.
The online notice for the project describes the works as being required to “accommodate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato)-equivalent Tactical Fighter Aircraft (TFA) and Strategic Transport Aircraft”.
The envisaged aircraft for the base are F-15 Eagle, a fighter jet capable of dropping nuclear gravity bombs, A-10 Warthog, and C-5 Galaxy transport planes.
The US Air Force has previously stationed F-15 and F-16 fighter jets at the airfield in Hungary during training exercises, rather than permanent deployments.
The works come in the wake of numerous warnings that Russia could be ready to fight a war by the end of the decade.
The Telegraph had previously revealed that the US planned to deploy nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time in 15 years as the threat from Moscow increased.
F-15 fighter jets are capable of carrying the same B61-12 gravity bombs that are set to be deployed at RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, England.
The latest plans for the upgrades at Kecskemet air base are part of a wider Nato effort to bolster the bloc’s eastern flank because of the security risk posed by the Kremlin.
The works involve the construction of a parking apron for tactical fighter jets, a parallel taxiway, new lighting and a cargo delivery roadway to the base.
A $21 million contract has already been signed for the construction of a jet fuel storage facility at the site.
The US has been gradually bolstering its presence in Europe following Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Kremlin has repeatedly threatened Nato countries in response to their support given to Kyiv in its fight against Moscow’s forces.
Top Russian officials have previously said there would be “counter-measures” in response to any increased US presence on European soil.
Last year, Joe Biden, the US president, announced an additional 20,000 American troops would be stationed in Europe.
“The United States will enhance our force posture in Europe to respond to the change [in the] security environment, as well as strengthening our collective security,” Mr Biden said at the time of the announcement.
The US signed an agreement with Hungary in 2021 granting access to Kecskemet and a second air base, Papa.
The deal was part of an earlier US plan, put in place by then-president Donald Trump, to repair and rebuild air bases in Eastern Europe that flank Russia.