MUMBAI: The US has embarked on a massive programme to upgrade and modernise its nuclear weapons due to a deterioration in the geopolitical scenario, states a report of the National Nuclear Security Administration , which is part of the Department of Energy , released Friday.
The nearly 200-page report, titled ‘Fiscal Year 2025 — Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan — Biennial Plan Summary’, was presented to the US Congress a few days ago.
The report says Russia has increasingly displayed nuclear norm-breaking behaviour, analysis of China’s nuclear programme suggests that it could achieve peer status within a decade, North Korea’s missile testing continues at a significant pace and Iran enriches uranium to a higher level faster than ever before, making negotiations a challenge.
“These destabilizing behaviours create an increasingly complex geopolitical environment that is evolving and uncertain. Therefore, nuclear weapons will continue to provide a unique deterrence effect on international security that no other element of US power can achieve for the foreseeable future,” it states.
According to the report, some of the nuclear warheads currently undergoing life extension and modernisation include B61-12, W88 Alt 370, B61-13, W80-4, W87-1, W80-4Alt SCLM and W93, all of which are thermonuclear.
The nuclear weapon stockpile will be maintained without underground explosive testing, and 80 plutonium pits will be produced annually, it says. A pit is the core of an implosion nuclear weapon.
The report further says that future warhead options are being explored to meet required military characteristics based on the threats and possibilities posed by potential adversaries.
“With several major warhead modernization activities underway, the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration is working to reduce warhead age while meeting emerging challenges on a timeline that does not put the nuclear deterrent at risk,” it states.
In its conclusion, the report reiterates that the global threat environment is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly dangerous, complex and uncertain. “In response to this changing environment, the United States must develop a modern, resilient and flexible nuclear security enterprise to provide the DOD (Department of Defence) with the necessary capabilities to continue to execute its critical nuclear deterrent mission.”
The nearly 200-page report, titled ‘Fiscal Year 2025 — Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan — Biennial Plan Summary’, was presented to the US Congress a few days ago.
The report says Russia has increasingly displayed nuclear norm-breaking behaviour, analysis of China’s nuclear programme suggests that it could achieve peer status within a decade, North Korea’s missile testing continues at a significant pace and Iran enriches uranium to a higher level faster than ever before, making negotiations a challenge.
“These destabilizing behaviours create an increasingly complex geopolitical environment that is evolving and uncertain. Therefore, nuclear weapons will continue to provide a unique deterrence effect on international security that no other element of US power can achieve for the foreseeable future,” it states.
According to the report, some of the nuclear warheads currently undergoing life extension and modernisation include B61-12, W88 Alt 370, B61-13, W80-4, W87-1, W80-4Alt SCLM and W93, all of which are thermonuclear.
The nuclear weapon stockpile will be maintained without underground explosive testing, and 80 plutonium pits will be produced annually, it says. A pit is the core of an implosion nuclear weapon.
The report further says that future warhead options are being explored to meet required military characteristics based on the threats and possibilities posed by potential adversaries.
“With several major warhead modernization activities underway, the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration is working to reduce warhead age while meeting emerging challenges on a timeline that does not put the nuclear deterrent at risk,” it states.
In its conclusion, the report reiterates that the global threat environment is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly dangerous, complex and uncertain. “In response to this changing environment, the United States must develop a modern, resilient and flexible nuclear security enterprise to provide the DOD (Department of Defence) with the necessary capabilities to continue to execute its critical nuclear deterrent mission.”
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