Not since the Cold War has the threat of nuclear conflict appeared to have been so close, according to an article in the Telegraph. Today, fears are rekindling as a new race in tactical nuclear arms – therefore for use limited to battlefields – is looming, accelerated by Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Russia increases nuclear threats
The Kremlin has gradually expanded its arsenal of tactical nuclear missiles. Today, Moscow is estimated to have around 2,000 such weapons, ten times more than the United States.
These weapons are designed to destroy enemy targets in specific areas to win battles, rather than wiping out entire cities and causing widespread radioactive fallout, as strategic nuclear weapons are.
Weapons used in the war in Ukraine
Nevertheless, the destructive power of today's tactical nuclear warheads is comparable to that of the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by American forces at the end of World War II, according to the Telegraph.
For his part, Vladimir Putin has increased atomic threats since the launch of the invasion of Ukraine. In particular, he deployed tactical nuclear missiles in neighboring Belarus and ordered exercises simulating the use of these weapons. Its objective: to force Washington to back down from the prospect of direct conflict.
The Chinese defense budget, closely followed by the United States
For their part, China and North Korea, less advanced, are following the Russian example. Beijing's behavior is particularly closely observed by the United States.
According to the latest report from the Pentagon (the US Department of Defense) on Beijing's military power, China is rapidly developing its nuclear arsenal and will likely have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, reports Politico. The country has added at least 100 nuclear warheads to its stockpile over the past year and now has more than 600, according to the report. “They also show some interest in developing a new conventional intercontinental ballistic missile that could strike Hawaii, Alaska and the continental United States.”details the Pentagon.
Nonetheless, China maintains its “no first use” policy for its nuclear forces, meaning it would not launch a nuclear attack if it were not struck elsewhere — its goal instead being to deter a large-scale attack.
According to Politico, however, it seems difficult to measure China's defense budget, as the government is not transparent about its size. The report estimates that Beijing is spending at least 40% more than it announces in its public defense budget, equivalent to $330 billion to $450 billion in total on defense in 2024.
As The Telegraph explains, some experts are calling on the United States and NATO to strengthen their nuclear arsenals. For good reason, the conventional deterrence system could no longer work against Russia. Donald Trump is expected to push for new missiles tipped with nuclear warheads – capable of being launched from ships or submarines – when he returns to the White House next month.
During his first term, Trump had already poured money into developing tactical nuclear missiles and the equipment needed to launch them, reversing decades of arms reduction efforts.
