Overview
- China is projected to match the U.S. in deployed nuclear warheads by 2035, with Russia and China both prioritizing nuclear weapons in their strategies.
- The U.S. is navigating an unprecedented era of multiple nuclear competitors, requiring updates to its nuclear posture and modernization plans.
- Pentagon officials emphasize the need to accelerate nuclear modernization, including enhancing Ohio-class submarines and deploying the B61-13 gravity bomb.
- Russia has lowered its threshold for nuclear weapon use, citing Western support for Ukraine, while China’s ambitions for Taiwan could lead to direct U.S. military involvement.
- The potential expiration of arms control agreements like New START in 2026 raises concerns, as U.S. officials explore strategies to counter growing nuclear threats.