- WIADOMOŚCI
The US will focus on tactical nuclear weapons. Opportunity for Poland?
Photo. chor. Piotr Gubernat, Combat Camera Poland
The Pentagon is preparing changes to the American nuclear strategy, placing greater emphasis on low-yield tactical nuclear weapons. The new doctrine, promoted by figures including Elbridge Colby, is intended to increase the credibility of US deterrence against Russia and China in limited-scale conflicts. For Poland and its NATO allies, this represents a significant shift in the context of the Nuclear Sharing programme.
The United States seeks to increase its nuclear deterrence potential – reports NBC News. Short-range tactical nuclear weapons are set to gain prominence. This solution is reportedly championed by Elbridge Colby, who recently visited the headquarters of US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) in Nebraska.
Credibility of deterrence in a new form
As NBC indicates, Colby has long been persuading decision-makers in Washington that the current US doctrine, based primarily on its long-range strategic arsenal, is not a sufficient deterrent for Moscow and Beijing. This is because Russia and China may assume that the United States would not decide to use intercontinental missiles launched from silos and submarines in the event of a limited nuclear attack on allies, fearing total escalation and retaliation on its own territory.
The introduction of tactical nuclear weapons into the doctrine, designed to strike specific military targets, makes the threat of using nuclear arms more credible. According to Colby, the reduced risk of global annihilation when using low-yield warheads paradoxically deters Russia and China more effectively from nuclear blackmail at a lower level of conflict.
Polish perspective: Nuclear Sharing and new opportunities
Jakub Palowski, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Defence24.pl, commented on the potential consequences of these doctrinal changes.
“In practice, nuclear weapons that can be considered non-strategic in the American arsenal today consist solely of B61-12 aerial bombs, carried primarily by F-35A fighters, including those operating within the Nuclear Sharing programme. The new doctrine may be a signal that the Americans are taking a more flexible approach to the use of this type of weaponry in response to potential threats from China and Russia. It must be remembered that NATO has declared a strengthening of nuclear deterrence, and Poland is seeking greater participation in the Nuclear Sharing programme.”
The Deputy Editor-in-Chief emphasises that the new strategy could increase the credibility of allied deterrence from Warsaw’s perspective, provided it is efficiently implemented by the US and involves appropriate engagement on the Polish side. “However, full implementation of this strategy would require the introduction of new delivery systems, such as adapting tactical missiles or air-to-surface missiles with a range of several hundred kilometres for nuclear use,” he concluded.
