US bolsters defense with $1 trillion to revamp nuclear weapons

The United States will pay approximately $946 billion to sustain, operate, and modernize the nation's nuclear weapons, according to a report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released last month. The funding averages $95 billion annually and will be allocated to the nation's fleet of bombers, submarines, and missiles meant to deliver the weapons, as well as related support and manufacturing infrastructure.

According to the report, $357 billion will be used to "operate and sustain current and future nuclear forces and other supporting activities;" $309 billion to "modernize strategic and tactical nuclear delivery systems and weapons they carry;" $72 billion to "modernize facilities and equipment for the nuclear weapons laboratory complex;" $79 billion to "modernize command, control, communications, and early-warning systems;" and $129 billion to "cover potential additional costs in excess of projected budgeted amounts estimated using historical cost growth."

Program cost overruns are responsible for half of the increase, according to the CBO. The Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program is a critical factor, as it has experienced substantial price increases. Other contributors include modest increases in the number of nuclear modernization programs and sites operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration, per the report.

Proponents of the nuclear modernization initiative have said that the increasing investments are essential for the preservation of a credible deterrent against Russia, China, and other nuclear-armed adversaries and that it is imperative to replace antiquated systems to guarantee national security, Newsmax reported. Opponents of the nation's nuclear weapons sounded the alarm that the costs are likely to go higher, citing historic trends, according to the network.

Nuclear weapons are anticipated to constitute 8.4 percent of the total national defense budget between 2025 and 2034, according to projections, which is a substantial increase from the 3.9 percent share in the 2014 defense budget.