US Could Deploy More Nuclear Weapons Amid China, Russia Threats: Official

‘Absent a change in adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required,’ official says.

The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Wyoming approaches Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., on Jan. 9, 2008. Lt. Rebecca Rebarich/U.S. Navy

The Biden administration may seek to deploy additional nuclear weapons amid increasing aggression by China and Russia, according to one official.

While expanding the number of deployed nuclear missiles would break with decades of U.S. policy, it may be necessary in an era of great power competition, according to Pranay Vaddi, the National Security Council’s top arms control official.