‘Absent a change in adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required,’ said Pranay Vaddi
The Biden administration may seek to deploy additional nuclear weapons amid increasing aggression by China and Russia, according to one official.
Expanding the number of deployed nuclear missiles would break with decades of U.S. policy but may be necessary in an era of great power competition, said Pranay Vaddi, the National Security Council’s top arms control official.
“Absent a change in adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required,” Mr. Vaddi said during a June 7 meeting of the Arms Control Association.
“If that day comes, it will result in a determination that more nuclear weapons are required to deter our adversaries and protect the American people and our allies and partners.”
Mr. Vaddi’s remarks follow the publication of a report late last year by the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, which suggested that the United States expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal to deter increasing aggression by China and Russia.
“Given current threat trajectories, our nation will soon encounter