Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.
Maduro: In the face of threats, Trinidad and Tobago agreed to suspend all effects of the energy agreement and everything that had been agreed upon in that regard.

US $138bln nuclear modernization plan fuels nuclear arms race concerns

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 29 Nov 2024 23:17
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The plan includes upgrades to nuclear warheads, submarines, missiles, and bombers over the coming decades, with significant investments already underway.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    In this image provided by the US Air Force, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron technicians connect a re-entry system to a spacer on an intercontinental ballistic missile during a Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman test on September 22, 2020, at a launch facility near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. (AP)

The United States is set to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to modernize its nuclear arsenal, according to a report by the Roscongress Foundation, raising fears of a renewed global arms race with Russia and China.

The ambitious plan includes upgrades to nuclear warheads, submarines, missiles, and bombers over the coming decades, with significant investments already underway.

Massive Investment in Nuclear Arsenal

The report reveals that the US Department of Energy plans to allocate $138 billion to nuclear warhead modernization between fiscal years 2024 and 2049. Another $500 billion is expected to be spent on stockpile management. In 2023 alone, the Pentagon received more than 200 upgraded nuclear warheads, marking the largest annual delivery since the Cold War.

The plan includes replacing Ohio-class submarines with new Columbia-class carriers, equipped with Trident II missiles upgraded for extended reliability. The US Navy’s 2025 budget request includes $9.9 billion for these submarines, which are expected to begin service in the 2030s.

Read more: US nuclear submarine fleet declines as production slows, expert warns

Additionally, the Pentagon plans to retire aging B-52H and B-2A strategic bombers by 2050, replacing them with 100 next-generation B-21 Raider bombers. These aircraft will be armed with advanced B61-12 and B61-13 nuclear bombs, as well as AGM-181 Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) cruise missiles.

Global arms race implications

The report warns that the US modernization efforts could escalate tensions with Russia and China, both of which are also enhancing their nuclear capabilities.

"The implementation of large-scale programs by the US to modernize nuclear warheads, replace nuclear weapons carriers, and increase the production capacity of enterprises for research and development of nuclear weapons in fact opens an arms race with Russia and China," the report said.

Russia, which has repeatedly warned of using nuclear weapons in response to NATO’s support for Ukraine, accuses the US of exacerbating the conflict and provoking confrontations globally. Meanwhile, China is undergoing a major expansion of its nuclear arsenal, further contributing to heightened geopolitical tensions.

Read more: Japan, US plan missile deployment for Taiwan contingency initiative

Lower-Yield Nuclear Weapons Development

In response to alleged threats from Russia and China, US Congress has authorized the development of “lower-yield” nuclear weapons. These are designed to provide the US president with additional options in regional conflicts but have drawn criticism for lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use.

The US and Russia remain the largest holders of nuclear weapons, followed by China, India, Pakistan, the DPRK, and "Israel", which has not officially declared its arsenal.

"Israel" blocks international inspections of its nuclear facilities, adding another layer of complexity to the global arms control landscape.

  • Trident II
  • B-21 stealth bomber
  • nuclear weapons
  • B-21
  • nuclear war

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS