In January, the Chinese reconnaissance satellite fleet grew to over 359 systems. Russia continues to develop and test space and anti-space capabilities.
The Pentagon Urges Lawmakers to Accelerate Nuclear Triad Modernization
The Pentagon has called on American lawmakers to accelerate the modernization of the nuclear triad to more effectively deter strategic and space threats from China and Russia. This was reported by the Pentagon press service on Thursday, February 29.
In particular, General U.S. Air Force Anthony Cotton, Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, told U.S. legislators that Russia and China’s investments in defense and space underscore the importance of strengthening the United States’ strategic advantage.
«The most important signal I want to convey today is that the forces under my command are ready to deter our adversaries and respond decisively if deterrence fails,» Cotton emphasized, speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
He said that today the United States is facing challenges it has never encountered before.
«We are facing not one, but two nuclear states: the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. This reality, along with missile developments in North Korea, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and growing relations between these countries, adds new levels of complexity to our strategic calculations,» he stressed.
Cotton also pointed out the accelerated pace of China’s development of stationary launchers for intercontinental ballistic missiles and warned of China’s possible achievement of around 1000 nuclear warheads by 2030.
He also highlighted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statements that 95% of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces have been modernized: «In short, our competitors are improving their positions against the United States and its allies in many areas at a pace far exceeding the rates we observed just a few years ago.»
The nuclear triad is a strategic offensive weapon system consisting of three components: strategic aviation, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and nuclear-powered submarines.
