Strategic nuclear and nonnuclear deterrence: Modern priorities

Abstract

The enforcement of Russia’s national security from a military perspective requires the continuous improvement of forces and means of deterrence of potential aggression against our country in a wide range of possible threats. Strategic nonnuclear deterrence with the use of high-precision long-range weapons, which is considered as complementary to, rather than substituting for, strategic nuclear weapons, plays an increasingly important role. The effective strategic nonnuclear deterrence depends, to even a larger extent than nuclear deterrence, on the capacity of relevant information and communication infrastructure. It is argued that one should pay special attention to such infrastructure, which should be developed proactively with regard to striking weapons.