The US has declared its readiness to increase and modernize its nuclear arsenal, if it is required to maintain “deterrence potential”. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Policy Richard Johnson did relevant statement at a conference at the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“Today, we remain confident in current American forces and doctrine. But if — and I say ‘if’ — a nuclear force adjustment is required, then we must be prepared to make it in sufficient time to avoid a lack of deterrence capability.” Johnson noted.
He added that if necessary, the US can adapt its nuclear doctrine, modernize its weapons and review the composition and combat capabilities of nuclear forces. The purpose of these changes is to ensure that strategic objectives are achieved even if deterrence fails.
Gen. Anthony Cotton, head of the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM), emphasized the need to reassess US forces to create a risk to two main rivals — Russia and China — as well as other threats. He emphasized that today’s threats are significantly different from those we faced ten years ago. The aggressive stance of adversaries such as Russia and China requires adaptation of our strategy and approaches.
Rear Admiral Thomas Buchanan, a spokesman for STRATCOM, said the US is ready to exchange nuclear strikes, provided it retains some of its arsenal needed to further deter adversaries.
According to the Stockholm Institute for Peace Studies, as of January 2023, Russia had 4,500 nuclear warheads, while the United States had 3,700.
