With the global threat environment growing more dangerous by the day, the United States is taking steps to beef up its nuclear defense capabilities. The latest White House budget includes nearly $20 billion for development of the first new U.S. nuclear warhead in 40 years. The W93 warhead will be used on ballistic missiles launched from submarines. The W93 is currently in the early stages of design, but is targeted to begin production in the mid-2030s, according to the Pentagon.
The W93 is part of a larger upgrade and expansion of our nuclear arsenal announced by National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) Administrator Jill Hruby during a recent hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The nuclear weapons program of record grew from five to seven systems this past year," said Hruby. "These seven systems represent modernized weapons for all three legs of the triad, and new capabilities responsive to today's security environment."
It is today's security environment that prompted this move to strengthen U.S. nuclear capabilities. Russia has recently amped up nuclear threats, while Iran continues to tease that it is getting closer to developing a nuclear weapon. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told the Senate time is of the essence. "Geopolitical shifts around us have made clear that those missions are urgent as ever," she said. "The growing cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, North Korea has created a more unstable international environment."
"The less predictable international environment, increased sabre rattling, aggression against our allies, and cyberattack threats reinforce the imperative to maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent," Granholm continued.
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