Source: New Global Nuclear Arms Race Comes

01.11.2011 The world has already entered new age of nuclear arms race, says the report released by Trident Commission research group set by British American Security Information Council (BASIC).

Today, many large countries implement programs modernizing available and creating new types of nuclear arms and delivery vehicles. In the next 10 years, hundreds of billion dollars will be spent for that purpose worldwide.

The US and Russia will be the largest competitors in arms race in the nearest decade; their overall spendings for nuclear arms and associated areas will be at least $770 bln. In particular, the US will spend $700 bln for nuclear armaments in the nearest ten years. Out of this sum, $100 bln will be directed to maintenance and modernization of available delivery vehicles (missiles, aircraft, submarines). Other $92 bln will be appropriated for maintenance and modernization of nuclear warheads currently in service and their production facilities.

Also, the US plans to prolong service lives of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) Minuteman III and design a new ballistic missile, build 12 new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines SSBN(X) with commissioning of the first one in 2029, extend service lives of B-52H Stratofortress bombers up to 2035, develop a new long-range bomber, and start replacement of nuclear cruise missiles with new ones in 2025.

In its turn, Russia will spend at least $70 bln for development of its nuclear triad till 2020. Those funds will be directed to deployment of new mobile ICBM systems RS-24 Yars, creation of a new ballistic missile armed with 10 nuclear warheads by 2018, rearmament of Project 667BDRM nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines with upgraded Sineva missiles, and construction of eight Project 955 Borei SSBNs. Besides, Russia develops a fifth-generation strategic submarine, reports BASIC.

A new long-range bomber (PAK DA, perspective long-range aircraft system) will join Russian Air Force by 2025. Russia plans to double production of ballistic missiles since 2013. In addition, Russian Armed Forces will receive ten short-range nuclear missile brigades in the nearest decade [obviously, the question is procurement of Iskander-M missile systems provided by State Arms Program 2011-2020].

Among other countries to attend the nuclear arms race, Trident Commission mentioned China, India, France, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea. All these states also develop and produce new types of nuclear weapons. In particular, China is about to deploy DF-31A mobile missile systems, India – ballistic missiles Agni-V, and Israel will complete development of new-generation missiles Jericho-III with flight range of up to 6,500 km.

In its report, Trident Commission intentionally side-stepped development prospects of British nuclear arms and focused only on worldwide trends. Trident Commission was established by BASIC with the view to estimate the need for renewal of Britain's nuclear arsenal numbering 160 warheads. The UK uses ballistic missiles Trident D5? as delivery vehicles.