Russian
President Biden approved a classified plan in March ordering the U.S. military to prepare for possible coordinated nuclear attacks by Russia, China and North Korea, according to the New York Times. reported On Tuesday, citing statements from senior administration officials.
The revised version The strategy reflects Pentagon estimates that China’s nuclear force will expand to 1,000 by 2030 and 1,500 by 2035 — roughly equal to what the United States and Russia have currently deployed. China has likely moved ahead of that timeline and began loading nuclear missiles into new silo fields seen by commercial satellites three years ago, the Times reported.
North Korea is estimated to possess more than 60 nuclear weapons and material for many more. Its growing arsenal is fast approaching the size of that of Pakistan and Israel, and is large enough to possibly participate in coordinated attacks by Russia and China, the Times reported.
The White House did not announce that the president had approved the revised strategy, called the “Nuclear Employment Guidance.” Two senior administration officials were allowed to speak about the strategy change before an unclassified notification is sent to Congress when Biden leaves office, the Times reported.