US revises its nuclear strategy
The U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing approaches to nuclear deterrence amid the growing nuclear capabilities of China and Russia, as well as the possible absence of international arms control agreements after February.
This was stated by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Policy and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Richard K. Johnson, RBC-Ukraine reports citing the Pentagon press service.
He noted that in today's world, the United States faces numerous nuclear rivals that are actively modernizing their arsenals and assigning nuclear weapons an important place in national security strategies.
According to him, the logic of nuclear deterrence remains relevant, but changes to the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review may be required to ensure security in the face of escalating nuclear confrontation.
The Ministry of Defense, together with the National Nuclear Safety Authority, is taking steps to strengthen nuclear deterrence. Key measures include:
- Modernization of the B61-13 gravity bomb, which will be an improved version of the previous model and will be carried out by the National Nuclear Safety Authority of the Ministry of Energy.
- Increasing the readiness of Ohio-class submarines equipped with nuclear weapons.
On November 15, the Department of Defense presented to Congress an updated report on the nuclear weapons strategy, known as “Report 491”. The report reflects changes aimed at countering growing threats, including the growth and diversification of potential adversaries' nuclear arsenals.
Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 22/11/2024
