The Department of Defense is adapting its nuclear deterrence approach in response to growing nuclear capabilities from multiple adversaries, particularly China and Russia, according to defense officials.
"We are now in a world where we're facing multiple nuclear competitors who are growing, diversifying and modernizing their nuclear arsenals," stated Richard C. Johnson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and countering weapons of mass destruction policy, during a recent panel discussion in Washington, D.C.
The evolving security landscape may require updates to the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, especially given enhanced nuclear capabilities of peer competitors and potential gaps in arms control agreements after February. While the fundamental logic of nuclear deterrence remains valid, the current nuclear modernization program could prove insufficient for future needs.
The DOD has already implemented several measures to strengthen deterrence capabilities, including deploying the new B61-13 gravity bomb and enhancing the readiness of Ohio-class submarines equipped with nuclear weapons. These initiatives were developed in partnership with the National Nuclear Security Administration.
A recent report submitted to Congress outlines key changes to U.S. nuclear strategy, including:
- Planning for simultaneous deterrence against multiple nuclear-armed adversaries
- Incorporating non-nuclear capabilities into deterrence missions
- Focusing on escalation management for limited nuclear or strategic attacks
- Expanding coordination with allies for extended deterrence
The strategy also emphasizes the continued importance of arms control, risk reduction, and nuclear nonproliferation efforts alongside deterrence capabilities.
Looking ahead to the 2030s, defense officials stress the need for modernizing nuclear forces, command and control systems, and supporting infrastructure. Grant Schneider, vice deputy director for strategic stability at the Joint Staff, highlighted the extensive analysis required to prepare for various strategic scenarios the U.S. and its allies might face.
This strategic shift reflects the Pentagon's response to an increasingly complex nuclear landscape, as multiple nations expand and modernize their nuclear arsenals while elevating the role of nuclear weapons in their security strategies.
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