Origins of the tactical nuclear weapons modernization program: 1969-1979
On December 12, 1979 NATO decided to deploy new long-range theater nuclear forces. This marked the first major change in NATO's nuclear stockpile since the adoption of the flexible-response strategy in 1967. The decision was controversial inasmuch as the Allies disagreed on the fundamental role of nuclear weapons in this strategy and, thereby, the types and number of weapons required for an effective deterrent posture. Thus, the decision is often described as purely politically motivated, in which the Americans reluctantly acquiesced to a European initiative for long-range weapons, prominently expressed by West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in 1977. Recently declassified US government documents reveal, however, that long-range missiles were part of a long-term comprehensive nuclear-modernization program conceived in the Pentagon during the period of 1973 through 1975, and presented to skeptical European elites who favored arms-control negotiations over costly new deployments.
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5392614
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
NATO
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
DECISION MAKING
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