The Air Force general nominated to take over U.S. Strategic Command gave a full-throated endorsement of the Pentagon’s plans to rebuild all three legs of America’s nuclear triad. But he raised questions about the price tag: an estimated $1 trillion over 30 years.
Testifying Tuesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Air Force Gen. John Hyten, said “I agree we have to modernize all three elements of the nuclear triad. I can’t state my support any stronger.”
But while committed to all three legs of the triad, Hyten is not committed to the eye-popping cost.
“I think the nuclear triad is affordable as we go forward in the future, but it should not be looked at as a blank check,” Hyten testified. “I don’t like it when I see the numbers that show up in the paper of $1 trillion, or $85 billion, or $500 billion. I don’t like to see those numbers because they tend to be self-fulfilling prophecies.”
The triad refers to the three platforms the U.S. launches nuclear weapons: strategic bombers, ballistic missile submarines and land-based missile silos.
In 2011, President Obama committed to build new bombers, submarines and replacement missiles, but some critics, including former Defense Secretary William Perry, and former U.S. Strategic Commander Gen. James Cartwright have argued that the land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles could be phased out, because submarines can perform the same mission.
Hyten expressed unwavering support for all three delivery systems. “If I’m confirmed I will continue to state that [support] in all forms.”
“Each element provides such a significant different attribute that is so important to the security of our nation,” Hyten said. “The bombers are the most flexible. The submarines are the most survivable. And the ICBMs are the most ready and responsive.”
