Defense

US to Putin: American nukes will 'remain unmatched'

U.S. military capabilities, including the American nuclear force, will “remain unmatched,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday after Russia introduced a new missile system that it said can break through current defenses.

“U.S. defense capabilities are and will remain second to none,” Nauert told reporters during Thursday’s briefing. “[W]e’re moving forward to modernize our nuclear arsenal and ensure that our capabilities remain unmatched.”

She issued that warning in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced earlier Thursday that Russia has developed hypersonic nuclear weapons systems capable of circumventing Western missile defenses. He argued that the weaponry was necessary because of the spread of missile defense interceptors in the western U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia.

“Russia has developed, and works continuously to perfect, highly effective but modestly priced systems to overcome missile defense,” Putin said during an address to the Russian legislature. ”It is a low-flying stealth missile carrying a nuclear warhead, with almost an unlimited range, unpredictable trajectory and ability to bypass interception boundaries. It is invincible against all existing and prospective missile defense and counter-air defense systems.”