US ‘needs to upgrade its nukes to eliminate nuclear weapons globally’ says Defence Sec. Jim Mattis
The Trump administration’s demand for new nuclear missiles, subs and bombers will create the stability needed to make progress on arms control, Mattis said
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has defended Donald Trump’s order to modernise America’s nuclear arsenal by saying it is actually a step towards denuclearising the world.
Mattis said on Tuesday that he recently received a letter from senators expressing concern that the new nuclear strategy would undermine traditional US leadership on reducing and eventually eliminating nuclear weapons.
He said the strategy does just the opposite: it will strengthen deterrence of a nuclear attack, and thereby provide the security that would enable further progress on arms control.
Mattis made the remarks while testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
