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An expert has cautioned that the United States is facing challenges with its aging nuclear arsenal amidst rapid advancements in China and an increasingly assertive and unpredictable Russia.
This has raised concerns about whether adequate resources have been allocated to modernize America's nuclear capabilities promptly.
Heather Williams, who leads the Project on Nuclear Issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stated to Newsweek: "
The next five years—perhaps even less—will be crucial."
"If we are serious about building a nuclear arsenal for the 21st century and competing with our adversaries, there are significant decisions that should have been made yesterday and weren't.
Ensuring the timely readiness of new systems and maintaining political continuity with a clear vision for the future of the US arsenal, free from policy inconsistencies, are just some of the crucial decisions.
Additionally, there is a growing need for a unified strategy to deter Russia, China, and North Korea, while also reassuring allies dependent on the US deterrent."
The US is currently modernizing its nuclear deterrent, transitioning from aging Minuteman IIIs to Sentinels, upgrading Ohio-class submarines to the Columbia class, and introducing the stealthy B-21 Raider and F-35 fighter into its arsenal.
However, this comprehensive modernization effort coincides with the end of the lifespan of existing weapons systems, raising concerns about potential delays and geopolitical shifts.
The modernization of US nuclear capabilities slowed significantly after the Cold War ended, and now efforts are accelerating.
"There's an agreement that we're long past the time when we need to revitalize and modernize these capabilities, and that we waited so long that, unfortunately, [we] have to do them all at the same time," said Robert Soofer, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy from 2017 to January 2021 under former President Donald Trump.
Conflicting priorities within Congress and successive administrations have hindered cohesive decision-making, potentially undermining America's nuclear strategy in the face of emerging threats.
However, there is a promising way forward, with the government showing willingness to get back on track and modernize its systems.
"The U.S. government will do whatever it takes to keep those things in a ready or reliable state until Sentinel comes online," Soofer said.
"There are things that we can do in extremis to keep the systems in service longer."