Admiral describes growing threat from nuclear-armed China, Russia
By David Vergun, DOD
May 7, 2021

U.S. Strategic Command is responsible for America's nuclear deterrence, using nuclear weapons-capable submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles and strategic bombers. The two peer nuclear-armed nations that have displayed aggressive behaviors are China and Russia.

A B-52H Stratofortress bomber from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., sits on the runway at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Image by Air Force Senior Airman Jovante Johnson

Navy Adm. Charles A. Richard, commander of Stratcom, spoke virtually today about the threat at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Project on Nuclear Issues Capstone Conference.

"As a nation, we have not had to consider the implications of engaging in competition through possible crisis or direct armed conflict with a nuclear-capable adversary in nearly three decades," he said. "Now, for the first time in our history, we face two nuclear-capable strategic peer competitors at the same time."

Richard said he'd like to see a reduced role for nuclear weapons by the U.S., Russia and China and would like to extend the olive branch.

In the meantime, however, Stratcom works diligently to achieve a credible nuclear deterrent that is safe, secure and effective, he said, adding that nuclear deterrence is not just about protecting the homeland, it's also about protecting allies.

The booster of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile rolls from one transporter erector vehicle to another during a missile roll transfer at the missile handling facility on Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., April 20, 2021. These transfers send ICBMs back to the missile field after they've been serviced by missile maintenance technicians in the hangar. Image by Air Force Airman Elijah Van Zandt

China, Richard said, is a growing threat. Their strategic and conventional forces are rapidly expanding in all domains.

Beijing already has a plausible nuclear employment strategy in the region and is increasingly able to do that at the intercontinental range, he said.

The Chinese are deploying large numbers of solid-fuel ICBMs, and they also have strategic bombers and submarines. They're well on their way to doubling their nuclear stockpile by the end of the decade, he said.

However, one must not simply compare stockpile sizes to address the threat, Richard said. "A nation's stockpile is a very crude measure of its overall strategic capability."

An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 2, 2020. Air Force photo by Vandenberg Air Force Base Public Affairs

There are many other capabilities that must be factored in, he said, such as delivery systems, accuracy, command and control, readiness, posture, doctrine and training.

Russia is undergoing a very extensive nuclear modernization program, which is about 80% complete, he said, noting that the Kremlin says the modernization program is actually 88% complete.

The Russians have a number of novel weapon systems that include a nuclear-armed missile mounted on a hyperglide system and a nuclear-armed, underwater, unmanned vehicle, Richard noted.

Because of these growing threats from China and Russia, modernizing America's own nuclear triad is of paramount importance, he said.

Marines assigned to the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, assemble a combat rubber raiding craft during a regularly scheduled exercise aboard the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 9, 2021. Image by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Juan Antoine King

Richard highlighted the importance he places on having a highly skilled and motivated workforce to operate and maintain the nuclear triad. These would include scientists, software developers, engineers and technologists.

It would be nice, he said, for talented young people to come to Stratcom. The workforce is graying, and a good percentage of it is nearing retirement age.

Richard said one area of concern is that Russia and China are far outpacing the U.S. in producing science, technology, engineering and math graduate degree holders.