1997 Annual Defense Report Table of Contents - Air Force Magazine

that exists today. Until START II is ratified and enters into force, the United States strategic force
structure will be based on the levels agreed in the START I Treaty, which is currently in force:
• 500 Minuteman III missiles.
• 50 Peacekeeper missiles.
• 18 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines.
• 71 B-52 strategic bombers (current law requires the United States to maintain 94 B-52 strategic
bombers through FY 1997).
• 21 B-2 strategic bombers.
Consistent with this objective, funding decisions will be made to maintain the option to retain this force.
The United States will also maintain its Non-Strategic Nuclear Forces (NSNF), consisting of dual capable
fighter bombers and submarine launched cruise missiles, available for worldwide deployment.
CONCLUSION
In the post-Cold War era, the United States plays the leading role in organizing coalitions of like-minded
states to defend and advance common interests, to promote common values and norms, and thus, to create
a world in which Americans can be secure and prosper. The force structure outlined above supports this
strategy of engagement and enlargement. Together, these first-rate military forces underwrite security
partnerships, help shape the international environment by their presence and activities, and deter and
defeat aggression in a variety of settings.
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