Three Defense Department leaders have testified before the House Armed Services Committee’s strategic forces subcommittee that the U.S. needs a nuclear modernization and sustainment strategy to support national and allied security, DoD News reported Thursday.
Karen Parrish writes Robert Scher, assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities, said a modernization effort worth a potential $450 billion over 20 years will help the U.S. shrink its nuclear arsenal.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Robin Rand, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, noted he believes nuclear modernization efforts are “long-overdue” and that plans for the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile system, air-launch cruise missile, nuclear weapon storage facilities and more are already in place.
“Comprehensive strategic deterrence and assurance and escalation control require a long approach… and it’s far more than just nuclear weapons and platforms,” added U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of U.S. Strategic Command.
“It is crucial that we modernize our strategic deterrence capabilities, which underpin our national and global security.”
