US air-sea platforms for nukes at end-of-service period: Report

MUMBAI: The cost to operate, sustain, and modernize current nuclear forces and purchase new ones in the US will shoot up to $946 billion over the 2025-2034 period — 25% higher than the 2023 estimate — which works out to an average of about $95 billion a year, according to the latest estimate of the US Congressional Budget Office.The report released in April shows that the estimate includes $357 billion to operate and sustain current and future nuclear forces and other supporting activities; $309 billion to modernize strategic and tactical nuclear delivery systems and the weapons they carry; $72 billion to modernize facilities and equipment for the nuclear weapons laboratory complex; $79 billion to modernize command, control, communications, and early-warning systems, and $129 billion to cover potential additional costs in excess of projected budgeted amounts estimated using historical cost growth.The report states that the current estimate of costs for the 2025-2034 period is 25% (or $190 billion) larger than its 2023 estimate of $756 billion, which covered the 2023-2032 period. The report states that nuclear weapons have been an important component of US national security since they were developed during World War II.During the Cold War, nuclear forces were central to US defence policy, and a large arsenal was built. Since that time, nuclear forces have figured less prominently in defence policy than conventional forces have and, for several decades, the US did not develop and field new nuclear weapons or delivery systems, choosing instead to sustain or extend the life of existing ones.The report also points out that the nation’s current nuclear forces are reaching their end-of-service period.US nuclear forces comprise submarines that launch ballistic missiles (SSBNs), land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), long-range bomber aircraft, and shorter-range tactical aircraft capable of delivering both conventional bombs and nuclear warheads.It states that over the next two decades, these legacy weapon systems will have to be refurbished or replaced with new ones if the US were to continue fielding those capabilities. In addition, it says, many of the capabilities that support those nuclear forces — including the command, control, communications, and early-warning systems that DoD (department of defence) operates and the complex of laboratories and production facilities that DOE (department of energy) operates — are slated to be modernized.The report also says the Sentinel ICBM programme has encountered significant cost growth in recent years.