With the rise of two nuclear-armed strategic competitors—Russia and China—the United States is accelerating efforts to modernize its nuclear deterrence capabilities. Both nations have significantly advanced their nuclear arsenals, compelling the U.S. to bolster its security strategies, not only for national protection but also for the safety of its global partners.
Speaking at the 2024 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Undersecretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton highlighted the urgency of this modernization. “The security environment we face today is unprecedented,” Dalton said, noting that China’s nuclear arsenal now exceeds 500 operational warheads, with expectations to surpass 1,000 in the coming years. Simultaneously, Russia’s actions in the Ukraine conflict and its novel nuclear capabilities pose additional challenges to U.S. deterrence strategies.
The U.S. has lagged in nuclear modernization efforts, largely due to a post-Cold War peace dividend and decades of counterterrorism focus. However, Dalton emphasized that “the bills are now way past due,” as adversaries have advanced their nuclear capabilities. Modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad—which includes new Columbia-class submarines, B-21 Raider bombers, and the ground-based Sentinel system—has now become a top priority for the Department of Defense.
Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining a robust nuclear deterrent. He stressed that modernization is not just a military priority but a national imperative, with the U.S. and its global allies depending on a secure nuclear framework to ensure peace and stability.–News Desk