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
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Echoes of several explosions heard in central occupied territories
United States: A federal judge temporarily blocks President Donald Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland
Syria: Local sources for Al-Mayadeen: An IOF patrol consisting of 4 vehicles entered the village of Suissa in the southern countryside of Quneitra
Trump on Truth Social: When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective
Trump on Truth Social: After negotiations, 'Israel' has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: We tell the enemy soldiers that we are not far from you, and you will see our faces whenever we decide to, because we are waging a harsh and complex battle of attrition
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is advancing toward the heart of Gaza City under the watchful eyes of our Resistance fighters with their tactics focused on valuable targets
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is advancing slowly and using unmanned vehicles to uncover and target combat nodes, which we are aware of

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

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Trump’s 21-point Gaza plan vs Netanyahu’s demand for Hamas defeat

Trump vows 'something special' in ME; Israeli delegation in chaos

  • US & Canada
  • 28 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK Jewish leaders denounce 'Israel' invite to Tommy Robinson
Palestine

UK Jewish leaders denounce 'Israel' invite to Tommy Robinson

Araghchi says Iran committed to diplomacy despite Western escalation.
West Asia

Araghchi: Iran committed to diplomacy despite Western escalation

Tom Barrack, Trump's unconventional Middle East envoy: FT
West Asia

Tom Barrack, disrupting decades of diplomatic practice: FT

Musk announces Beta launch of Grokipedia, his AI rewrite of Wikipedia
US & Canada

Musk announces Beta launch of Grokipedia, his AI rewrite of Wikipedia

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