It’s Time to Modernize Strategic Deterrence.

“Our nuclear triad has been the bedrock of our deterrence effort for many, many years and it will continue to be so in the future.”

– Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, June 2021

2022 Nuclear Posture Review

October 27, 2022

The United States is committed to the modernization of its nuclear forces, nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) system, and production and support infrastructure, and to sustaining fielded systems through the transition to their replacements.
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Learn more about the next-generation ground-based strategic deterrent, the Sentinel, and why we need to modernize our ICBMs now.
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Role of the Nuclear TriaD

Nuclear deterrence is the foundation of the United States’ security strategy and is intended to preserve peace and deter aggression. U.S. nuclear deterrent capabilities are not just the foundation of U.S. national security, but that of our allies as well. In essence, the U.S. nuclear deterrent capability maintains regional stability and promotes nonproliferation.

“There are allies who very much rely on the United States’ nuclear assurances. And that helps dissuade their own internal dynamics that might look to develop nuclear weapons themselves.”
– Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, February 2021

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What is GBSD

The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, also known as the Sentinel, is essential to modernizing our aging intercontinental ballistic missiles and ensuring a safe and credible nuclear deterrent.

“America’s nuclear deterrence is the bedrock of our security, and the highest priority mission of the Department of Defense.”
– Ash Carter, Secretary of Defense under President Obama, September 2016

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Why we Need GBSD

Not only do we need to modernize our nuclear deterrent to meet modern threats including cyber attacks, but the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program is also more cost-effective than maintaining the existing Minuteman III fleet and has the potential to generate hundreds of high-paying American jobs.

“Pursuing GBSD is more affordable than extending the MMIII again.”
– Rebecca L. Heinrichs, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, October 2021

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What the Experts Are Saying

“There is no topic more important to our national security than the preservation of strategic deterrence.”

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), September 2021

“There are allies who very much rely on the United States’ nuclear assurances. And that helps dissuade their own internal dynamics that might look to develop nuclear weapons themselves.”

Kathleen Hicks

Deputy Secretary of Defense, February 2021

“Cutting nuclear weapons at a time when Russia is backstopping its conventional aggression with the threat of nuclear force would signal to Russia that the U.S. is not serious about nuclear deterrence. It could also send the message to our allies that the United States might waffle over its extended deterrence commitments.”

Patty-Jane Geller

Policy analyst for nuclear deterrence and missile defense at The Heritage Foundation, February 2022

“Nuclear weapons have been the foundation of NATO’s collective security since its inception. For over 70 years, both the national arsenals of the NATO nuclear weapons states – the United States, the United Kingdom and France – and the U.S. nuclear weapons forward deployed in Europe have provided deterrence for the Alliance and reassurance for Allies. NATO heads of state and government have repeatedly affirmed that NATO is a nuclear alliance and will remain so as long as nuclear weapons exist. Quite simply, we still have nuclear weapons because nuclear deterrence is still necessary and its principles still work.”

Jessica Cox

Director of Nuclear Policy at NATO, June 2020 

“America’s ICBM force is both affordable and cost-effective — it features the lowest annual sustainment and recapitalization costs compared to the other two legs.”

Former U.S. Air Force Secretaries Sheila Widnall, Whitten Peters, James Roche, Michael Wynne, Michael Donley and Deborah Lee James, as well as former U.S. Air Force Chiefs of Staff Gen. Larry Welch, Gen. Merrill McPeak, Gen. Ronald Fogleman, Gen. Michael Ryan, Gen. John Jumper and Gen. T. Michael Moseley

June 2020 

“Trying to do any kind of service life extension program for the Minuteman III will be more costly, will result in a missile that’s not as capable and with a missile that would be more expensive to maintain.”

John P. Roth

Acting Secretary of the Air Force, June 2021

GBSD in the News

Biden to unveil new efforts to protect S. Korea from nukes

ABC News | By Aamer Madhani April 24, 2023 President Joe Biden will use this week’s celebratory state visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk [...]

24
Apr
NATO: China to triple its nuclear arsenal ‘within a few years’

Washington Examiner | By Joel Gehrke April 18, 2023 China will have a stockpile of 1,500 nuclear warheads “by 2035,” according to Western officials who worry [...]

18
Apr
Russia Successfully Tests ‘Advanced’ Missile After Dropping Nuclear Treaty
April 12, 2023

Newsweek | By Jon Jackson April 12, 2023 Russia conducted a successful test launch of an “advanced” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Tuesday, according to [...]