Office of the Historian

61. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1

Washington, undated.

SUBJECT

  • Supply of B61 Tactical Nuclear Bomb to Certain NATO Nations, and Support of the MRCA

[5 lines not declassified] State and AEC support these recommendations.

The number of B61 bombs to be supplied is not fixed as yet, but would not exceed a one-for-one replacement of the current nuclear bombs as they are retired. All nuclear bombs in Europe are equipped against unauthorized arming, stored in approved sites, and held subject to U.S. custody and control.

The B61 would not be supplied until the late 1970’s, but your approval in principle is needed now to allow the transfer of necessary technical information and initiation of long range planning.

[2½ lines not declassified] This limit was placed at the level of an earlier bomb, and it is appropriate to modify the limit to allow the transfer of the B61.

The MRCA fighter/bomber is under development in Europe, and will be a replacement for the German and Italian F–104’s. Your approval in principle for provision of nuclear weapons is needed in order to allow the transfer now of technical information to insure MRCA compatibility with these weapons. Certain work on the aircraft is currently suspended pending the commencement of the technical information flow.

Secretary Schlesinger’s proposals are consistent with our policy on supplying nuclear weapons to NATO, and I recommend you approve them.

[4½ lines not declassified]

[Page 244]

Recommendation:

That you approve the actions indicated in the NSDM’s at Tab A.

  1. Summary: Kissinger discussed the supply of B61 tactical nuclear bombs to certain NATO members and support for the German and Italian multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA).

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–248, Policy Papers 1969–1974, NSDM 258. Top Secret. Tab A was not attached. Attached but not published is Tab B, a March 29 memorandum from Schlesinger to Nixon. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Nixon initialed his approval of Kissinger’s recommendation. Kissinger signed both NSDM 258, Nuclear Weapon Yield: Amendment to NSAM 143 and NSAM 199, and NSDM 259, Programs of Cooperation for Nuclear Bomb Support of Non-U.S. NATO Nations, on June 20. (Ibid.)

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