DoD ‘exploring’ options for nuclear buildup as part of strategic review
Vipin Narang, DoD's top nuclear policy official, explained that while current modernization plans — estimated by the Government Accountability Office last October to cost at least $350 billion over the next two decades — are "necessary," they "may well be insufficient" to meet current and future threats.
By Theresa Hitchens
on August 01, 2024 at 2:52 PM
WASHINGTON — In the face of growing threats from Russia, China and North Korea, the Defense Department is considering options to increase the number of nuclear weapons launchers and warheads at its disposal as part of a year-long strategic review, according to a senior Pentagon policy official.
“We have begun exploring options to increase future launcher capacity or additional deployed warheads on the land, sea and air legs that could offer national leadership increased flexibility, if desired, and executed,” Vipin Narang, acting assistant secretary for space policy, told the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Project on Nuclear Security Issues today.
Narang, who also is responsible for nuclear, missile defense and cyber policy, explained that his office for the past year has been undertaking a “strategy-driven review of the implications of the new security environment for strategic deterrence and US nuclear posture.” The process, he noted, is “overseen at very senior levels of the government and includes interagency stakeholders.”
His comments elaborated on remarks made June 7 by Pranay Vaddi, the National Security Council’s senior director for arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation, at the Arms Control Association annual meeting — with Narang echoing Vaddi’s statement that while still pursuing diplomatic avenues, the Biden administration is now pursuing “a more competitive approach.”
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/08/dod-exploring-options-for-nuclear-buildup-as-part-of-strategic-review/
