Al Puchala’s Post

The Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies, University of Calgary with the Military Museum have been having a series of public talks on key security issues facing Canada. On November 23 2023, I was privilege to have been able to share my thoughts on the changing Nuclear Weapons international security environment. We are seeing a massive modernization of the deterrent forces of all of the major nuclear powers. But even more troubling is the emerging warheads and delivery systems that can be thought of as being war-fighting. So moving forward in an increasingly dangerous international great power system, what does it mean? In an attempt to answer this, my talk was titled "Thinking about the Unthinkable: The Modernization of Nuclear Weapons and their Delivery Systems". https://lnkd.in/gbGb9zDW

More broadly we need a concerted effort to invest in the workforce of the future to support these and other vital programs. At a time when future generations worry about being replaced by automation and AI we have a global shortage of skilled technical workers required to build ships (military and Comercial), aircraft and other key manufactured products being knocked off with stolen IP in China. We can't focus on the systems without building the foundation human and industrial capital to not only build but sustain these critical systems

I know the nuclear weapon is truly great. The big problem would destroyed at least 60 percent of the population even larger. In the current US defense and weapon should be even enough of taking care of any regions conflicts at least much less scales compared of the population . Truly, many of the countries has the great defense as well. Not necessary go on the dead lock to all the nations.

🌍 A Vision for Global Security: President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative 🌍 In a powerful radio address in 1987, President Ronald Reagan remarked: “We have begun work on technologies that could free all of mankind from the fear of nuclear missiles for all time—a strategic defense against nuclear ballistic missiles.” This visionary statement reflects the ambition to utilize technology not just for defense, but for the ultimate goal of ensuring global security and peace. As we continue to innovate and develop advanced technologies today, the stakes remain high in our pursuit of safety from nuclear threats and conflicts. 🚀 Today, more than ever, we must consider how emerging technologies can be harnessed effectively to prevent conflicts and promote lasting peace. As we reflect on Reagan's words, it's a reminder of our collective responsibility to advocate for solutions that protect humanity and foster international cooperation. What are your thoughts on the role of technology in global defense strategies today? How can we work towards a future where the fear of nuclear weapons is a thing of the past? #GlobalSecurity #NuclearDefense #Innovation #Peace #Technology #RonaldReagan #StrategicDefenseInitiative

Even without the astronomical cost of the Sentinel program, I question the need for a land-based nuclear force. So far, the best answers I have gotten are “we’ve always had one” and/or “we need redundancy.” Neither of these answers are sufficient when it is draining increasing amounts of critical money from the rest of the military. https://lnkd.in/eFw2mn6j

Every day there is reporting about the increased cost in the Sentinel ICBM program and the Nunn-McCurdy review. Here is what some reporters are failing to mention. Nuclear forces as a whole account for only 7-percent of the total 10-year cost for national defense. This includes all nuclear forces - personnel, weapons systems, infrastructure, delivery systems, storage, stockpile services etc. So, 7-percent of the total defense budget that forms the foundation of our national defense strategy is not a bad price tag. Another consideration reporters are leaving out is the cost of the new Columbia SSBN. Ballistic missile subs are several times more costly than ICBMs, but ICBMs are what's making headlines for news outlets and an ever increasing pile of "concerned citizen journalists." The projected costs straight from the Congressional Budget Office are publicly available.

The US Department of Defense has commenced the construction of Project Pele, the first-ever fourth-generation mobile nuclear reactor, at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Managed by BWXT Advanced Technologies under the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), this microreactor is designed to be transportable within four 20-foot shipping containers. The final assembly is scheduled for February 2026, with the reactor expected to produce 1-5 MWe for more than three years without refueling. The initiative, named after the Hawaiian goddess of fire and power, aims to support remote and austere military environments by providing a reliable energy source. The project is a collaboration between the SCO, the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This groundbreaking development marks a significant milestone in advanced reactor technology and battlefield energy solutions. #ProjectPele #NuclearReactor #MobileNuclear #USDefense #INL #EnergyInnovation #BattlefieldPower #AdvancedReactor #MilitaryTech

The discourse surrounding the modernization of the U.S. nuclear arsenal encapsulates a strategic conundrum that transcends purely fiscal considerations. The historical persistence of land-based ICBMs as a deterrent, rooted in Cold War exigencies, underscores the enduring complexity of nuclear strategy in the post-Cold War era. The escalation in the Sentinel program's cost and timeline raises pivotal questions about fiscal prudence and strategic necessity in an era where the geopolitical landscape is markedly different, yet the specter of nuclear threat remains palpable as evidenced by President Putin’s recent periodic rhetoric. The decision to retain a sizeable fleet of land-based ICBMs reflects a nuanced understanding of strategic stability, informed by decades of deterrence theory and arms control dynamics. The intricate interplay between arms control agreements and the strategic calculus of maintaining a triad, including land-based ICBMs, reveals a sophisticated appreciation for the deterrent value of nuclear forces amid evolving global threats. Moreover, the dialogue surrounding nuclear modernization encapsulates the broader discussion on defense acquisition practices and the inherent challenges of forecasting costs and technological hurdles in long-term military projects. The argument for continuity in nuclear capabilities underscores a pragmatic recognition of the enduring role of nuclear deterrence in national security strategy and the ever eroding effectiveness of conventional deterrence. Ultimately, the discourse on nuclear modernization invites a deeper discussion of the intricate balance between fiscal responsibility, strategic foresight, and the immutable imperatives of national defense in an uncertain global order. The dialogue must continue to foster a nuanced understanding among policymakers, scholars, and the public to navigate the complexities of maintaining a credible deterrent in a dynamic geopolitical landscape.

With modern Nuclear reactors of 50 to 100 MW Power Output that use Natural Circulation, they are Much Safer than conventional Nuclear Stations because no Cooling Water Pumps are needed.

Of the total global inventory of an estimated 12 121 warheads in January 2024, about 9585 were in military stockpiles for potential use.    Read the 2024 #SIPRIYearbook chapter on world nuclear forces to learn more ⬇️