In a report published by the US Congressional Committee on Strategic Forces Policy, recommendations to enhance the American nuclear capability are outlined. The report suggests increasing the number of deployed nuclear warheads for strategic forces, as well as the production of bomber aircraft, air-launched cruise missiles, and ballistic missile submarines. It also proposes expanding non-strategic nuclear forces and production capacities for warhead manufacturing. This information has been reported by Interfax.
The document emphasizes the need for deploying separable warheads on ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and exploring the possibility of adding mobile ICBM complexes to the arsenal. The committee highlights that the US strategy should ensure effective deterrence and counter aggression from Russia and China in Europe and Asia using conventional forces. However, if the number of conventional forces is deemed insufficient, the US strategy should shift to rely more on nuclear weapons for deterrence or counteraction against unilateral or joint aggression.
Congress members underline that the size and composition of the US nuclear forces should take into account the possibility of joint aggression from Russia and China. The US strategy should no longer view China’s nuclear forces as a “lesser threat,” and the United States needs a nuclear policy that can simultaneously deter both countries. Previously, North Korea stated that the presence of US submarines in South Korea is a “condition for the use of nuclear weapons.”
