Defense

DoD Officials Discuss Regional Deterrence, Nuke Modernization

The administration's nuclear sustainment and modernization plan is what is needed for effective deterrence, and the plan is affordable if the Defense Department prioritizes it, senior defense officials told Congress yesterday.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces were Robert M. Scher, assistant defense secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities, and Arthur Hopkins, acting principal deputy assistant defense secretary for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs.

Effective deterrence, Scher said, requires that U.S. nuclear capabilities and posture allow the nation to implement U.S. defense strategy, preserve the strategy's credibility and reinforce overall strategic stability.

“Our approach is to maintain a deterrent that is inherently robust and stable rather than one that is simply reactive to every action of a potential adversary,” the assistant secretary said.