Image source: topwar.ru
The US Navy opposes the additional deployment of sea-based nuclear weapons on ships and submarines. Their representatives believe that it is better to spend these funds on something more necessary, for example, on hypersound.
According to the press service of the United States Navy, this opinion was expressed by the chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday in his speech to members of the US Congress.
The deployment of nuclear weapons on surface ships and submarines can be carried out, and among the leadership of the US Department of Defense, many support the idea of developing this type of sea-based weapons. But Gilday believes that equipping the fleet with nuclear weapons will sideline other, more important tasks.
Image source: topwar.ru
During the administration of Donald Trump, the United States began to create a new sea-based cruise missile with a nuclear warhead (SLCM-N), but this program was suspended under Biden. Now a number of representatives of the military leadership are demanding to resume the program. In their opinion, such weapons can become the US response to the likely threat of the use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia or China. In particular, the head of the Strategic Command of the US Armed Forces (STRATCOM), Admiral Ches Richard, sent a letter to the House of Representatives of Congress stating the need to continue the SLCM-N program.
Washington's naval nuclear component now consists of ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads placed on submarines.
