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A US air force b52 bomber
Poland’s defence ministry is discussing whether to ask for access to Nato’s ‘nuclear sharing’ program. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Poland’s defence ministry is discussing whether to ask for access to Nato’s ‘nuclear sharing’ program. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Poland considering asking for access to nuclear weapons under Nato program

This article is more than 8 years old

Deputy defence minister says Poland is discussing whether to join other European countries in hosting nuclear arms to strengthen defences

Poland’s deputy defence minister has said the ministry is considering asking for access to nuclear weapons through a Nato program in which non-nuclear states borrow the arms from the US.

Tomasz Szatkowski said the ministry was discussing whether to ask for access to Nato’s “nuclear sharing” program to strengthen the country’s ability to defend itself.

Polish media said Szatkowski’s comments on Saturday to the private broadcaster Polsat marked the first time a Polish official has indicated the country wants to join the program.

Among Nato’s 28 members there are three nuclear powers – the US, France and Britain – but only the US has provided weapons to allies for nuclear sharing.

Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey have hosted nuclear weapons as part of the program.

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