Pentagon Sets Sights on Developing Groundbreaking Nuclear Weapon

U.S. officials are seeking congressional approval to manufacture a new nuclear weapon that is reportedly 24 times stronger than the Hiroshima atom bomb. The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced plans to pursue a modern version of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, known as the B61-13. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb stated that this decision reflects a changing security environment and the increasing threats from potential adversaries. Experts suggest that the B61-13 bomb would have a maximum yield of about 360 kilotons, making it significantly more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. The bomb would utilize the same warheads as the B61-7 bombs produced in the 1980s and 1990s. This new weapon could be dropped by modern aircraft, providing the U.S. military with additional options against certain military targets. However, officials emphasize that the production of the B61-13 will not increase the overall number of weapons in the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Some members of Congress, such as House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Sen. Roger Wicker, support the proposed nuclear weapon, noting that it would offer more flexibility in addressing the evolving threats. These officials caution that the project should not be viewed as a long-term solution. The announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas conflict and a series of terrorist attacks by Hamas. In addition, fighting in eastern Ukraine continues following Russia’s invasion of the country. Russian officials have also indicated they may withdraw from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The proposed development of the B61-13 weapon is not a direct response to these events but rather an ongoing assessment of the changing security environment, according to the DOD. The United States currently possesses around 5,200 nuclear weapons, while Russia has approximately 5,900. A recent Pentagon report highlights that China has amassed more than 500 nuclear warheads as of May 2023, with an increase of about 100 since 2021. The report indicates that China is preparing for a contingency to forcibly reunify Taiwan with the mainland. Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov has stated that Russia will maintain its moratorium on nuclear testing unless the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is revoked. The Pentagon report warns that these developments could further destabilize international relations.



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