Nuclear Weapons: DOD's Plan for Implementing Nuclear Reductions Generally Addresses Statutory Requirements but Lacks Some Detail
Abstract
Nuclear weapons have long been a cornerstone of the nation s defense strategy. These weapons deployed on strategic delivery systems, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and nuclear-capable aircraft have played an essential role in U.S. policy for deterring potential adversaries and assuring U.S. allies and other security partners that they can count on America s security commitments. At the same time, arms control agreements and strategic policies have led the United States to maintain its nuclear deterrent capability with decreasing numbers of weapons and strategic delivery systems. In his April 2009 speech in Prague, the President spoke of the United States commitment to seeking a world without nuclear weapons. The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review Report (NPR) outlined the administration s approach to maintaining the U.S. nuclear deterrent capability while pursuing further reductions in nuclear weapons.1 The NPR report focused on five key objectives; one of these objectives, maintaining strategic deterrence and stability at reduced nuclear force levels, emphasizes the importance of bilateral and verifiable reductions in strategic nuclear weapons in coordination with Russia. In support of this objective, the United States signed a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia known as New START on April 8, 2010, which entered into force on February 5, 2011.2
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 11, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA612803
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office