London, June 17. NATO member states are now considering putting their nuclear weapons on alert, according to the alliance’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, he stated that discussions were underway about operational details and the number of warheads required for the potential threat.
I won’t go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues. That’s exactly what we’re doing,” Stoltenberg said, highlighting the importance of transparency in such matters. He added that this move would help communicate the direct message that NATO is a “nuclear alliance.
Although NATO’s ultimate goal is to achieve a world without nuclear weapons, as long as they exist, the alliance will remain a nuclear power, especially considering the potential adversaries like Russia, China, and North Korea. Stoltenberg expressed particular concern about China, which has been investing heavily in advanced weapons systems, with plans to increase its nuclear arsenal to 1,000 by 2030.
The NATO chief emphasized that the United States and its European allies are currently modernizing their nuclear arsenals. The US is updating its gravity bombs for nuclear warheads deployed in Europe, while European allies are upgrading the aircraft intended for NATO’s nuclear mission. According to The Daily Telegraph, the UK has approximately 40 of its 225 nuclear warheads deployed, and the US has 1,700 active warheads (with another 3,700 in reserve. However, it should be noted that France does not make its atomic arsenal available to the alliance due to a long-standing policy of maintaining independence over its own deterrence.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Stoltenberg urged Western countries to continue supporting Kiev, stating that if Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds in his goals, the world would become more vulnerable and further investments in defense would be necessary.