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

In its 2010 <strong>Nuclear</strong> Posture Review (NPR), the Barack
Obama administration underlined the reduced role
of nuclear weapons in regional security architectures
<strong>and</strong> stressed America’s increased reliance upon “forward
U.S. conventional presence <strong>and</strong> effective theater
ballistic missile defense.” 3 The NPR also makes clear
that “any changes in <strong>NATO</strong>´s nuclear posture should
be taken only after a thorough review within—<strong>and</strong>
decision by—the Alliance.” 4 The document calls for
retaining the capability for forward-deployed U.S.
nuclear weapons to be delivered by tactical fighterbombers
<strong>and</strong> heavy bombers. 5 The United States
also plans to continue with a life-extension program
for the B-61 bomb, which is deployed in Europe for
delivery by dual-capable aircraft (DCA). It has been
estimated that the United States has reduced its total
TNW stockpile from 11,500 to some 500-800 <strong>and</strong> has
retained a smaller capability for forward deployment.
Under <strong>NATO</strong> sharing arrangements, as mentioned
earlier, experts assume that the United States still
deploys between 150-200 U.S. TNWs in five <strong>NATO</strong>
member states (see Table 11-1). These weapons remain
under U.S. control during peacetime, but in a war situation
some of the TNWs can be transferred to allies
for delivery by their own dual-capable systems. This
nuclear-sharing formula in the event of war was developed
during the Cold War to maintain a close coupling
between European <strong>NATO</strong> Allies <strong>and</strong> the United
States <strong>and</strong> to ensure shared decisionmaking. The 2010
New Strategic Concept retains the option of nuclear first
use, even against a non-nuclear attack, although with
the condition that the circumstances calling for such
an event are “extremely remote.” Many political <strong>and</strong>
military experts declare that such a nuclear mission
has no military value. General James Cartwright, for-
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