Russia has begun the mass construction of new generation 955 Borei vessels, which will become the main component of Russia's nuclear naval triad. Source: Press Photo
Russia Now Has More Deployed Nuclear Warheads Than The U.S. -- Michaela Dodge, Daily Signal
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) that the U.S. State Department and the Obama Administration championed has been a bad deal for the U.S. Despite the fact that the U.S.’s international security obligations are vastly different from Russia’s, the treaty codified that the U.S. will have the same number of nuclear warheads as Russia. Now for the first time, according to the latest New START data exchange, Russia actually has more actively deployed nuclear warheads than the U.S.
The minor Russian advantage in strategic nuclear weapons comes despite the incredible asymmetry in both countries’ commitments to global security and despite Russia’s 10-to-one advantage in tactical nuclear weapons systems in the European theatre. The U.S. guarantees nuclear security to about 30 nations around the world. Russia is a threat to many nations but does not extend its security guarantees to anyone else.
Read more ....
Update #1: For the first time, Russia has more deployed nuclear warheads than U.S. -- Washington Times
Update #2: Russia Passes US in Nuclear Weapons Race -- Newsmax
My Comment: And this trend is only going to continue with time .... Upgrade of Russia’s strategic potential will be completed by 2020 -- Russia Beyond the Headlines
On a side note .... here is some inside baseball from Moscow. I was told years ago that the Soviet Union/Russian had more "deployable" nuclear warheads than the Americans .... they just were good at hiding them and/or fudging the numbers to U.S. inspectors .... who then fed the these "fudged" numbers back to their political bosses in Washington who in turn accepted them at face value for the simple reason that they did not want to make waves. So if that is the case .... and I beleive that it is .... the question now begs itself .... after so many years why the "accurate" disclosure from Russia on it's nuclear numbers now .... why the honesty that they are now number one. Even I do not know the answer to that.
It seems pretty obvious to me. When you're sabre-rattling, any little thing you do to make yourself seem a little scarier helps. The specific actions taken matter less than the overall tone.
ReplyDeleteMy thinking is along the lines of Daniel.
ReplyDeleteYou have a weakening opponent led by an indifferent, hapless or timid leader. You opponent's military is declining. Their response to you saber rattling is to not achieve dominance or parity but be "agreeable".