Nuclear Weapons Modernization in Russia and China: Understanding Impacts to the United States

We are currently faced with a highly uncertain future regarding our own nuclear deterrent modernization program. Despite commitments from many key leaders that modernization of our nuclear weapons stockpile, delivery systems, and supporting infrastructure is critically needed, we’re on the verge of halting our modernization program before it even begins. The FY12 Energy and Water appropriations bills currently in Congress would make dramatic cuts to nuclear modernization funding levels that were agreed to last year by the President and Senate during consideration on the New START Treaty. In that context, it is important to understand if and how other countries—especially China and Russia—are modernizing their nuclear forces, and how that modernization should impact our decisions here in the United States.