Tactical Nuclear Weapons and NATO.pdf - Program on Strategic ...

CHAPTER 11
EUROPEAN AND GERMAN PERSPECTIVES
Götz Neuneck
Non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNWs) or tactical
nuclear weapons (TNWs) are remnants of the
Cold War. During the bipolar confrontation, both the
United States <strong>and</strong> the Soviet Union deployed thous<strong>and</strong>s
of TNWs in different theaters of war on various
platforms such as naval vessels, aircraft, <strong>and</strong> missiles.
Different categories such as tactical nuclear warheads
on short- <strong>and</strong> medium-missiles, mines, <strong>and</strong> artillery
shells were intended to be used in support of troops
in the field during actual war. There was a direct link
to conventional forces in regions of conflict <strong>and</strong> assurances
given to allies by the possessors of these weapons.
TNWs in Europe, although very high in numbers
<strong>and</strong> locations, had lower visibility in the public eye
than long-range strategic nuclear weapons. The reduced
number of tactical nuclear warheads on European
soil today has not been subject to any arms
control treaty at all. An important starting point was
in 1987, when the United States <strong>and</strong> the Soviet Union
signed the Intermediate Range <strong>Nuclear</strong> Forces (INF)
Treaty <strong>and</strong> began eliminating medium <strong>and</strong> intermediate
range ballistic <strong>and</strong> cruise missiles which were intended
for use on the European battlefield. Although
the United States <strong>and</strong> Russia addressed TNWs in some
arms control talks, most of their efforts focused on
negotiations related to strategic nuclear arms. French
<strong>and</strong> British nuclear forces were not included in any
arms control arrangements concerning Europe. From
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