NATO plans to place additional nuclear weapons on high alert and enhance the transparency of its nuclear arsenal to counter potential threats from Russia and China, according to UNN.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the need to display the alliance’s nuclear capabilities to send a definitive message to potential adversaries.
Stoltenberg stressed that NATO is discussing the deployment of more nuclear weapons, including the possibility of removing missiles from storage and putting them on standby. He underscored the importance of transparency as a deterrent.
He said: “I will not go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and how many should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues. That is exactly what we are doing.”
Stoltenberg also noted that unlike a decade ago when nuclear exercises were conducted in secrecy, NATO now openly commends allies for their contributions to deterrence.
He mentioned the Netherlands specifically for its investment in dual-use fighter jets capable of carrying US nuclear weapons.
Stoltenberg added that China is actively investing in its nuclear arsenal, which will grow to 1,000 warheads by the early 2030s.
“NATO’s goal is a world without nuclear weapons, but as long as they exist, we will remain a nuclear alliance, because a world where Russia, China and North Korea have nuclear weapons and NATO does not is a more dangerous world,” the official added.
