Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has proposed reallocating up to $50 billion from low-impact Pentagon programs to better address evolving threats from adversaries like China. The proposal suggests a reevaluation of weapons systems such as the Long-Range Standoff missile, which may no longer be necessary. The current nuclear triad, consisting of land, sea, and air components, leans heavily on intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched missiles for deterrence. Critics argue that the air component, particularly the LRSO, provides minimal additional value to national defense.
The air leg of the triad, including bombers with LRSOs, adds little value to our defense strategy as current threats evolve.
Expert analysis suggests that overwhelming reliance on land-based ICBMs, which ensure a robust retaliatory capability, should be the focus for future deterrence.
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