The Trump administration's new nuclear arms policy calls for modernizing the US nuclear triad by developing mini "tactical" nukes to counter China and Russia’s growing stockpile of nuclear weapons including the "Status-6 system of nuclear armed intercontinental torpedo that has the capability to strike US coastal cities.
Ensuring its right to protect United States,its allies and partners, Trump expresses its right to use nuclear weapons first through NPR,a 100 page document justifying the need of a nuclear deterrent strategy in today's 21st century by identifying the nuclear policies, strategy and corresponding capabilities for a a steady action to strengthgen its deterrence.
Nuclear Posture Review (NPR 2018) acknowledges Russia of "developing" a "new intercontinental, nuclear armed, nuclear-powered, undersea autonomous torpedo" known as the "Status-6" system-a drone-type device fired underwater that can potentially travel thousands of miles and strike US coastal military bases and cities and cause large zones of radioactive contamination.
After"thorough analysis and careful deliberations, the US military plans to quickly develop and deploy sea launched nuclear missiles to ensure a "prompt response option" to counter this threat.
Assessing the global security enviornment where countries are aggressively contemplating neo colonialism,US unveiled the Nuclear Posture Review that identifies Russia and China as direct threats to international order as they “have added new types of nuclear capabilities to their arsenals, increased the salience of nuclear forces in their strategies and plans, and engaged in increasingly aggressive behaviour”.
It also mentions North Korea continuing its illicit nuclear weapons program and missile capabilities while Iran retains the technological capability to develop a nuclear weapon within one year of deciding to do so.
Another potential threat emanates from non-state actors such as terror groups having capabilities to seize nuclear weapons remains at the forefront.
ThusNPR calls for integration of US nuclear and conventional forces, including training and exercising with these integrated forces, so US forces can fight “in the face of adversary nuclear threats and employment.”
The Pentagon is adamant the Nuclear Posture Review walks the line between maintaining a nuclear deterrence and encouraging controls on nuclear weapons.
“Neither recommendation requires developing new nuclear warheads. Neither will increase the size of our nuclear stockpile. They break no treaty,” said Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan at a Pentagon briefing Friday.
“They align with our non-proliferation commitments. They strengthen American deterrence,” Shanahan said.
Appreciating and expressing readiness to closely cooperate with the United States,Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said "Japan highly appreciates the latest NPR which clearly articulates the U.S. resolve to ensure the effectiveness of its deterrence and its commitment to providing extended deterrence to its allies including Japan,
in light of the international security environment which has been rapidly worsened since the release of the previous 2010 NPR, in particular, by continued development of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs."
US, Russia tensions have extended to confrontational level so much so that Trump administration has named Russia a "rival power,"and decided to give Ukraine anti-tank weapons to help in its fight against Moscow-backed militias.
Washington has accused Moscow for interference in America's election, destabilizing activities in eastern Ukraine, intentionally violating de-confliction agreements in Syria, the continued illegal occupation of Crimea, and Russia’s continued violation of other arms control agreements like the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
While Russia has joined us in strategic reductions, including ongoing implementation of the New START treaty, Moscow retains a large stockpile of non-strategic nuclear weapons and continues to modernize those, as well as its strategic systems.
Under START, both US and Russia may deploy no more than 1,550 strategic offensive nuclear weapons, and deploy no more than 700 strategic nuclear delivery vehicles.New START will expire in 2021.
The Deployment of long-range nuclear capable missile by Russia threatens the US and Nato and violates an international arms treaty which Trump states as Vladimir Putin's geopolitical ambitions.
The Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) calls for developing smaller, low-yield nuclear weapons to deter Russia. The strategy would challenge the view that U.S. nuclear weapons are too big to be used and therefore no longer an effective deterrent.
“We cannot afford to let [the U.S. nuclear arsenal] become obsolete,” Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon.
Trump's nuclear posture will accelerate the nuclear arms race among the world powers and there is great risk that nuclear warheads could be used in the event of any conflict.
No comments:
Post a Comment