Hyten: Modernize, Don’t Increase Number of Nukes

The biggest problem with the US nuclear arsenal is that it needs modernization, US Strategic Command boss Gen. John Hyten said in an interview with the Omaha World-Herald. Hyten’s comments strike a contrast with those of President Donald Trump, who recently told Reuters that he believes the US has “fallen behind on nuclear weapon capacity” and that he wants to see it return to “the top of the pack.” Hyten said that “every new administration that comes in, one of the first things they should do is take a look at our nuclear capabilities, because it is the most sobering, daunting, powerful element of our defensive architecture.” The best way to do that, he said, is through a nuclear posture review, which he expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. Still, he confirmed that the most significant nuclear problem, from his perspective, is not size but age. “All our stuff is old. It’s still ready, safe, secure, reliable. But it’s old.” He also said he sees the Trump administration as a strong potential partner. “The good part right now is that we have broad support in the new administration” for modernization of all elements of the nuclear triad.