A B-52 strategic bomber and two F/A-18 fighter jets fly over a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. (File photo)

By Liu Kehan

The US Department of Defense (DoD) recently released a report on nuclear arsenal investment for the next ten years, foreign media reported. The report revealed a US$756 billion budget for nuclear arsenal buildup for the period of 2023-2032, including US$117 billion for the nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) upgrade program, an increase of US$23 billion from the last decade. This was the first time, after the Biden administration issued the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) last year, that the US military specified the focuses and directions of its nuclear buildup and explained the items of NC3.

According to Pentagon, the 2023-2032 period is vital, during which Washington will pour money in three key directions: nuclear weapon infrastructure, a triad nuclear arsenal, and the NC3. The NC3 is a complex system comprising at least 204 sub-systems, 70% of which are in the air force's combat command. The last time the US military upgraded its NC3 system was in the 1980s. With the latest one, it vowed to integrate modern technologies such as big data and AI.

According to the DoD's plan, the US Air Force will install the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (Global ASNT), which already had initial combat capability at the end of 2022, being able to operate consistently under strong electromagnetic and communications jamming and transmit combat command to strategic bombers or land-based intercontinental ballistic missile systems within one minute. As the "Doomsday Plane" of nuclear command, the E-4B and E-6B airborne command aircraft will be equipped with a new information data operation system and AI-assisted decision-making system. To enhance communications security, the new-generation encryption device will be installed along with the latest anti-jamming communications module and quantum technology in addition to several stable communications channels.

It's worth noting that the US NC3 system also includes a reconnaissance and early warning system, command facility construction, and other domains. The US DoD has intentionally put the reconnaissance and early warning system under the missile defense budget and command facility construction under another budget in a poorly veiled attempt to pool more capital for upgrading the NC3 capability.

Foreign media analyzed that as Pentagon advances its NC3 capabilities and upgrades the triad nuclear arsenal, it has at the same time improved other nuclear facilities and related security and defense features. The US military remains in a leading position as far as nuclear combat force is concerned. For instance, 90% of its land-based intercontinental missiles are combat-ready and can be launched within 32 seconds at the fastest. Against such a background, the US flaunting its all-round nuclear capability in the next 10 years is aimed at showcasing the deterrence of its modern nuclear arsenal and consequently securing its hegemony.

It is reported that the US taking the initiative to reveal its nuclear combat capability – to be doubled in the next decade as it claims – is to create a nuclear watercooler moment, heighten the global nuclear tension, and generate multiple overspill effects.

In October 2022, the Biden administration issued three reports in a package – National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review. The US DoD's latest 10-year NC3 program is a manifestation of them.

At the same time, the 10-year nuclear arsenal upgrade program will aggravate the global nuclear game with the possibility of a nuclear arms race. Pentagon said it will keep running its own NC3 with the allies for interoperability through nuclear exercises. Such a mindset pivoted on bloc confrontation in the nuclear security domain will undoubtedly add more security risks to Europe, Asia Pacific and other regions.