Pentagon Recommits to Sentinel Nuclear Missile Amid Rising Costs and Program Overhaul

 

The Pentagon remains dedicated to developing the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile despite escalating costs, instructing the U.S. Air Force to restructure the program to manage expenses. The Sentinel, made by Northrop Grumman, is now projected to cost $140.9 billion, an 81% increase from the initial $77.7 billion estimate. Without modifications, costs could reach $160 billion. This restructuring will delay the program by several years. 

William LaPlante, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, emphasized the necessity of modernizing nuclear forces despite the costs. The Sentinel is set to replace the aging Minuteman III missile. In January, the Air Force reported severe cost overruns, prompting a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach review. LaPlante decided to continue with the Sentinel, citing its essential role in national security and the lack of cheaper alternatives.

Significant changes are expected, including rescinding the program's Milestone B approval and ordering a complete restructure to address cost overruns and management issues. The per-unit cost, initially $118 million in 2020, has risen to about $214 million, including additional components.

 Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s assistant secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics, supported LaPlante's decision and pledged to devise a restructuring plan over the next few months. This plan will likely take 18 to 24 months for the Pentagon's approval.

Most cost overruns are linked to Sentinel’s command and launch segment, including missile silos and launch control centers. The Air Force aims to scale back these facilities to reduce costs and transition timelines from the Minuteman III system to the new Sentinel facilities. Northrop Grumman continues to make progress on the Sentinel, achieving key milestones in design, development, and testing.

 The Pentagon now has better information on Sentinel's complexities, leading to more accurate cost estimates. The Air Force has established oversight committees and executive officers to manage its nuclear enterprise, ensuring the Minuteman III’s sustainability during the interim period.

Gen. Jim Slife, the Air Force’s vice chief of staff, noted that the most challenging decisions regarding program cuts would be made after establishing the new baseline costs, which are expected to emerge in the next few years.

North Korea Tests Multi-Warhead Missile, Escalating Regional Tensions

 On June 27, North Korea announced that it successfully tested a multi-warhead missile, a development that could pose significant threats to South Korea, Japan, and the United States if confirmed. This test is seen as an attempt by North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, to evade missile defenses in South Korea and the US, fulfilling his long-standing ambition for a multi-warhead missile.

The announcement from North Korean state media, KCNA, contradicted South Korea’s assessment of a failed weapon test from the previous day. KCNA reported that the test on June 26 involved the separation and guidance control of individual mobile warheads, marking a significant step in advancing missile technologies.

The test aimed to secure Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) capability, enabling the delivery of multiple warheads to different targets. The missile’s decoy was detected by radar, and the mobile warheads were successfully guided to three target coordinates.

Reports indicate that North Korea used a modified Hwasong-16 booster for a shortened-range test to validate the release of independent warheads. This test, the first of its kind for North Korea, is considered a preliminary step by international observers.

KCNA quoted the North Korean Missile Administration, highlighting the test as part of a full-scale effort to enhance missile capabilities and technologies. Kim Jong Un has listed a multi-warhead missile among his priorities, alongside hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, solid-fuel ICBMs, and submarine-launched nuclear missiles, all of which are in various development stages.

This development is particularly significant amid rising tensions between North Korea and NATO, especially after North Korea’s provocative actions, such as sending waste-filled balloons across the 39th parallel and issuing multiple warnings against US-South Korea cooperation.

Recently, North Korea revived defense cooperation with Russia, hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin and signaling readiness to send troops to fight in Ukraine. Amid this backdrop, the MIRV test gains critical importance, potentially elevating North Korea’s threat level, especially if the warheads are nuclear.

Despite international sanctions, North Korea is believed to have assembled 40-50 nuclear warheads. In November, Kim Jong Un urged exponential nuclear weapon production and aligning with nations opposing the US in a “New Cold War.”

North Korea’s test follows India’s recent MIRV test, which unsettled its nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan and China. Unlike South Korea, which lacks nuclear weapons, this development significantly heightens the threat.

MIRVs can overwhelm missile defenses by deploying multiple warheads simultaneously, making interception more difficult. This sophisticated technology requires advanced capabilities, which some US critics believe North Korea might be receiving from Russia, given their military exchanges.

While the world advocates for nuclear non-proliferation, the development of MIRV technology has faced criticism. Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists expressed concerns about the increasing number of countries acquiring MIRV capabilities, warning that it could escalate nuclear tensions.

Similar concerns apply to North Korea, which has issued several nuclear threats. The Washington-based Wilson Center noted that MIRVs would significantly undermine US defense capabilities against a North Korean nuclear strike.

Putin's Historic Visit to North Korea: Strengthening Military Ties Amidst Global Tensions

 

The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will embark on a two-day visit to North Korea, marking his first trip to the reclusive nation in over twenty years. This visit underscores the growing partnership between the two countries. Following his North Korean visit, Putin will travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, for another two-day visit.

Evidence from Ukraine reveals that Russia's military actions are bolstered by more than just its own arsenal. A recent report from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has unveiled North Korea’s covert role in supporting Moscow's campaign by supplying ballistic missiles.

Since November 2023, North Korea has been discreetly sending artillery rounds and ballistic missiles to Russia, aiding its conflict in Ukraine. The DIA's declassified report highlights North Korea's involvement, showing missile debris in Ukraine that matches North Korean designs.

The DIA report indicates that since November 2023, North Korea has been providing ballistic missiles to Russia, strengthening their alliance. This relationship has grown with increased diplomatic exchanges and visits between the two countries’ leaders. Notably, North Korea was one of the few nations to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the UN.

In September 2023, Kim Jong-un visited Russia, touring military facilities and meeting Putin, which led to Putin planning this reciprocal visit to North Korea.

North Korea’s support for Russia includes supplying at least three million artillery rounds and numerous ballistic missiles. These weapons have been used by Russia in Ukraine, targeting civilian areas and causing significant casualties.

For North Korea, this collaboration offers practical benefits, allowing it to test its missile technology in real-world conditions against advanced missile defenses. This partnership also provides mutual diplomatic support as both nations face heavy Western sanctions.

North Korea has developed advanced missile systems, demonstrated in numerous tests since 2019. The DIA’s analysis compares images of missile debris from Ukraine with North Korean missile designs, confirming their origin.

Historically, North Korea has been a significant player in the global arms trade, selling ballistic missile technology to various countries. Under Kim Jong Un, North Korea has prioritized missile development, creating systems capable of regional and intercontinental strikes, posing a substantial threat to international security.

Putin’s upcoming visit to North Korea follows Kim Jong-un’s rare trip to Russia last year, aiming to solidify their alliance. As both nations face extensive Western sanctions, their relationship has grown closer since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The upcoming summit between Putin and Kim Jong-un is a pivotal moment in global geopolitics, with both leaders known for their authoritarian regimes and nuclear capabilities. Their meeting signifies a crucial point in international relations, as the world watches their next strategic moves.

Russia Re-Deploys Tu-22M3 Bomber for Strikes on Ukraine: Key Attack After April Incident

 

The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) redeployed a Tu-22M3 bomber for the first time on the night of June 13-14 following an unprecedented incident in April. According to Ukrainian media, Russian forces launched an aerial strike on Ukraine, primarily targeting the western regions with ballistic missiles, drones, and Kh-101/Kh-55 missiles fired from at least five strategic bombers.

Unverified reports claimed that Russia deployed at least four Tu-22M3 bombers from the Dyagilevo airfield near Ryazan, marking their first approach within the range of Ukrainian air defense since an April shootdown. 

In April, Ukrainian forces successfully downed a Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bomber, the first such loss for the Russian bomber fleet. This incident followed a Russian attack on Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk confirmed the destruction of the Tu-22M3, which carries Kh-22 cruise missiles used against Ukrainian cities. The Russian aircraft crashed in the Krasnogvardeysky District of Stavropol Krai, with videos of the crash circulating on social media. Russia attributed the crash to a technical error, while Ukraine claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft and stated that Russia had subsequently withdrawn the bombers.

The recent attack primarily focused on Starokostyantyniv in the Khmelnytsky area, home to a significant Ukrainian air base. This base, previously targeted by Russia, reportedly houses Ukraine’s Storm Shadow missile carriers, the Su-24MR fighter jets. Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) spokesperson Illya Yevlash declined to comment on the damage, emphasizing that revealing such information could aid the enemy. He noted a new Russian strategy combining airstrikes with regrouping and altering missile and drone movements.

Yevlash described this tactic as involving combined strikes using UAVs from various directions along with different types of missiles, adjusting warhead sizes based on the mission. For example, cruise missiles recently targeted western Ukraine, reaching Kolomyia before turning back towards Starokostiantyniv, demonstrating maneuvers with altitude changes. Each attack follows a unique pattern.

In response to continued Russian attacks, President Vladimir Putin offered a ceasefire on June 14 if Ukraine agreed to withdraw its forces from the four annexed regions and abandon its NATO aspirations. Putin stated that Moscow would "immediately" declare a ceasefire and commence negotiations if Kyiv complied. This proposal follows the G7 meeting in Italy and precedes a summit in Switzerland (excluding Russia) to discuss peace in Ukraine. Despite the annexation of four Ukrainian regions in the fall of 2022, Kyiv’s forces have maintained their positions.

Putin emphasized that his proposal aimed at a “final resolution” of the conflict rather than a temporary freeze, indicating the Kremlin’s readiness for immediate negotiations. However, Kyiv’s ongoing demand for the withdrawal of Russian forces and NATO membership remains unchanged, receiving no immediate response to Russia’s suggestion.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, initially targeting Kyiv but later focusing on southern and eastern regions after failing to capture the capital.

Rethinking India's Nuclear Strategy: Challenges and Responses Amidst Pakistan's Growing Nuclear Assertiveness

In the wake of Pakistan's increasingly India-centric nuclear weapons policy, India faces pressing questions regarding its own nuclear stance. Former Pakistani General, often referred to as the 'Father of the Pak Atomic Bomb', recently warned of potential mayhem, urging India to reconsider its long-held No First Use (NFU) policy. As tensions escalate, how can Delhi effectively respond to these strategic shifts?

The article delves into the historical context of nuclear weaponry, highlighting the evolution from the 'Little Boy' dropped on Hiroshima to contemporary MIRV-ed ballistic missiles like India's Agni-5. With Pakistan boasting a growing arsenal, including advancements in surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs), India is urged to adapt its nuclear doctrine accordingly.

Critics argue that India's adherence to Cold War-era policies is outdated, especially in light of Pakistan's aggressive stance and China's nuanced nuclear strategies. While India has hinted at flexibility regarding NFU, concrete actions are needed to match evolving threats.

Recent developments, such as the activation of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and successful MIRV-capable missile tests, underscore India's commitment to enhancing its nuclear capabilities. However, challenges persist, including geopolitical tensions and technological advancements.

In response to Pakistan's assertive rhetoric, India must reassess its deterrence strategy, potentially moving from NFU to a Need-Based First Use (NBFU) policy. As the region navigates uncertain waters, the article calls for a pragmatic approach to nuclear deterrence, emphasizing the imperative of aligning policy with evolving threats.

Amidst growing nuclear posturing, India's upcoming Independence Day celebrations present an opportune moment for reevaluation and recalibration of its nuclear doctrine. The article concludes with a stark reminder: in an increasingly volatile landscape, a deterrent without intent is rendered impotent.