US Still Relies On Nuclear Deterrence To Deter Russian, Chinese Nuclear Attacks - Official

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2019) The United States continues to rely on its nuclear deterrence to deter potential nuclear attacks from Russia and China, a senior US administration official said during a conference call previewing the 2019 Missile Defense Review (MDR).

"The United States still relies on nuclear deterrence to deter a potential Russian or Chinese nuclear attack," the official said on Wednesday.

The MDR addresses the environment of potential adversaries developing an expanded range of advanced offensive missiles that are capable of threatening the United States, its allies and US forces abroad, the official said.

The official added that Russia and China have very large and sophisticated arsenals.

The MDR, the official said, will also address cruise missile and hypersonic weapons in addition to ballistic missile threats.

The new MDR will present a new strategy and posture that will set the path to strengthen the United States' current missile defense capabilities and make the case for urgent investment into new missile defense capabilities, the official added.

US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton, acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and other senior US military officials on Thursday morning at the Pentagon will present the 2019 Missile Defense Review. The previous US missile defense review to be put out was in 2010, the official noted.