Robert Kadlec, Assistant Secretary of War for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical and Biological Defense Policy and Programs, warned Congress during the Strategic Forces Hearing: FY27 Strategic Forces Posture Hearing that the nation must modernize its nuclear forces to deter both China and Russia, as China rapidly expands its nuclear capabilities. Kadlec described the current moment as a critical inflection point, with growing risks of simultaneous conflicts across multiple regions.

[…] “U.S. strategy is at a critical inflection point,” said Robert Kadlec, assistant secretary of war for nuclear deterrence, chemical and biological defense policy and programs, while testifying before the House Armed Services Committee’s strategic forces subcommittee.

China’s strategic nuclear “breakout,” Kadlec said — an unprecedented, major increase in bolstering their nuclear capability — means that the U.S. nuclear arsenal must deter both China and Russia. […]

Officials emphasized the need to upgrade all three legs of the nuclear triad—land, sea, and air—despite budget and industrial challenges, especially following the expiration of a key arms control treaty with Russia.

They urged full funding for major modernization programs, arguing that maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent is essential to prevent adversaries from exploiting global crises and to ensure long-term national security.