Energy secretary says Trump aims to modernize US nuclear arsenal
The American deterrent is aging, and some warheads are in need of replacement, Chris Wright has said. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that the Trump administration plans to modernize the aging U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal without increasing...
TroibNews 
The American deterrent is aging, and some warheads are in need of replacement, Chris Wright has said.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that the Trump administration plans to modernize the aging U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal without increasing its size. In a recent Fox News interview, Wright noted that the U.S. nuclear stockpile is “older” and “getting obsolete.” He emphasized the necessity for modernization, stating that no progress has been made in this area over the last three decades.
Wright clarified that modernization does not entail an expansion of the nuclear arsenal. “We don't need to grow our nuclear stockpile,” he stated, adding that the focus should be on “making sure everything is in tip-top shape.”
While Wright did not specify the number of warheads set for refurbishment or establish a timeline for the initiative, he underscored the importance of maintaining confidence in U.S. nuclear capabilities. “The best thing about nuclear weapons is to not use them… And to not use them, the world has to have 100% confidence that America leads the world in the weapons technology, the reliability, and the assessment of our stockpile,” he remarked.
He attributed the success of the U.S. in the Cold War to the nuclear capabilities developed during the Manhattan Project, which led to the creation of the first atomic bombs used in World War II. Wright anticipates that the U.S. will be “in a much better position in a few years… again, with a president that’s focused on that.”
Despite commitments to nuclear modernization, President Trump recently expressed a desire for global disarmament, suggesting, “it’d be great if everybody would get rid of their nuclear weapons.” He noted that “Russia and us have by far the most” and projected that “China will have an equal amount within four or five years… Denuclearization would be incredible.”
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that while Russia is open to discussions with the U.S. regarding disarmament, “it is impossible to just overlook European nuclear arsenals in this dialogue.”
The U.S. possesses more than 5,000 nuclear warheads, with approximately 1,770 deployed. Russia's arsenal includes around 5,880 warheads, with about 1,700 deployed. The UK has approximately 225 nuclear warheads, and France has around 290. Although the exact number of Chinese warheads is unknown, estimates suggest it is around 600.
Both Russia and the U.S. are parties to the 2010 New START treaty, which limits each nation to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads. However, Russia suspended its participation in the treaty in 2023, citing issues with the inspection regime due to significant Western involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that the Trump administration plans to modernize the aging U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal without increasing its size. In a recent Fox News interview, Wright noted that the U.S. nuclear stockpile is “older” and “getting obsolete.” He emphasized the necessity for modernization, stating that no progress has been made in this area over the last three decades.
Wright clarified that modernization does not entail an expansion of the nuclear arsenal. “We don't need to grow our nuclear stockpile,” he stated, adding that the focus should be on “making sure everything is in tip-top shape.”
While Wright did not specify the number of warheads set for refurbishment or establish a timeline for the initiative, he underscored the importance of maintaining confidence in U.S. nuclear capabilities. “The best thing about nuclear weapons is to not use them… And to not use them, the world has to have 100% confidence that America leads the world in the weapons technology, the reliability, and the assessment of our stockpile,” he remarked.
He attributed the success of the U.S. in the Cold War to the nuclear capabilities developed during the Manhattan Project, which led to the creation of the first atomic bombs used in World War II. Wright anticipates that the U.S. will be “in a much better position in a few years… again, with a president that’s focused on that.”
Despite commitments to nuclear modernization, President Trump recently expressed a desire for global disarmament, suggesting, “it’d be great if everybody would get rid of their nuclear weapons.” He noted that “Russia and us have by far the most” and projected that “China will have an equal amount within four or five years… Denuclearization would be incredible.”
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that while Russia is open to discussions with the U.S. regarding disarmament, “it is impossible to just overlook European nuclear arsenals in this dialogue.”
The U.S. possesses more than 5,000 nuclear warheads, with approximately 1,770 deployed. Russia's arsenal includes around 5,880 warheads, with about 1,700 deployed. The UK has approximately 225 nuclear warheads, and France has around 290. Although the exact number of Chinese warheads is unknown, estimates suggest it is around 600.
Both Russia and the U.S. are parties to the 2010 New START treaty, which limits each nation to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads. However, Russia suspended its participation in the treaty in 2023, citing issues with the inspection regime due to significant Western involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
