American submarines with nuclear cruise missiles, America’s big step, after 30 years, submarines will be equipped with nuclear cruise missiles, who is the target? – Re-arming US Navy submarines with nuclear cruise missiles after three decades

Washington: US Navy submarines will be equipped with nuclear cruise missiles after nearly three decades. In a step in this direction, the US Navy issued a request for information (RFI) for a sea-launched nuclear cruise missile (SLCM-N). This initiative was taken with the aim of creating a flexible missile system capable of responding to the enemy. The goal of this RFI is to deploy an operational system by 2034, with a prototype expected to be tested within the next three years. This test will be conducted from SLCM-N Virginia class submarines.

Interesting reports indicate that the United States introduced sea-launched nuclear-armed cruise missiles in the 1980s with the deployment of the TLAM-N, a nuclear version of the Tomahawk land-attack missile. These missiles have a range of about 2,500 kilometers (about 1,550 mi), and have been deployed on both surface ships and submarines.

Change happened again under Trump

In America, in 1991, George H.W. President Bush announced the withdrawal of all naval tactical nuclear weapons. Following this announcement, the TLAM-N missiles were withdrawn from service by mid-1992. The Navy kept the option open to redeploy them on submarines if necessary. In 2010, the Obama administration recommended decommissioning the TLAM-N system. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) of the Donald Trump administration called for the development of a new sea-launched nuclear-armed cruise missile, now known as the SLCM-N. Its purpose was to meet the need for “flexible options” within the US nuclear arsenal. The SLCM-N is designed to enhance deterrence against regional threats and reassure US allies.

Why does this system get support?

Proponents of the SLCM-N argue that it provides a flexible nuclear option, able to be deployed in different regions without the need to deploy nuclear assets on allied territory. The SLCM-N will play an important role as a maritime nuclear force below the strategic level on the nuclear escalation ladder.

Similar to the TLAM-N that was retired by the US Navy, the SLCM-N is viewed as a low-yield submarine-launched nuclear weapon. This would add a new dimension to the maritime portion of the nuclear triad, allowing the United States to provide a proportional response.