The UK government is to buy at least 12 new fighter jets that can carry nuclear bombs, the prime minister has announced, BBC reported.

Sir Keir Starmer said at the Nato summit in The Hague that the new US-made F-35A jets would join Nato's airborne nuclear mission. 

"We will procure at least 12 and we will make these aircraft able to bear nuclear weapons if necessary," said the prime minister, adding the procurement was in "response to a growing nuclear threat".

Downing Street says the move is "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation".