U.S. to Deploy Smaller Nuclear Warheads to Counter Russia’s Low-Yield Arms

The guided missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) stops for a personnel boat transfer / Getty Images

 

Nuclear review warns of new dangers from China, Russia

The United States will deploy modified smaller nuclear warheads on submarine-launched ballistic missiles and re-deploy sea-launched nuclear cruise missiles to counter Russia’s plans for using small nuclear weapons.

The policy shift is outlined in the Pentagon’s Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) that calls for modernizing aging weapons and delivery systems but not building new, more efficient and safer warheads.