Why is the Nuclear Triad needed if nuclear subs can’t be realistically countered?
In: Technology
Well the answer is probably more political than military. It started with the US Air Force, then they put missiles on the ground (so the Army got their stuff) and the Navy wanted their own stuff. And therefore it became doctrine.
It definitely makes some sense. Bombers take a fairly long time to travel so aren’t the best “quick response” arsenal and this reduces their deterrence effect. Ground based launchers can’t move around and are probably the first targeted areas. Submarine launched ballistic missiles came about effectively around the late 1960s. Having all three options makes nuclear defense much more expensive for the USSR.
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