{"id":39684,"date":"2020-02-05T22:36:16","date_gmt":"2020-02-05T22:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/02\/05\/russia-voices-concern-over-new-us-nuclear-weapon\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:32:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:32:49","slug":"russia-voices-concern-over-new-us-nuclear-weapon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/2020\/02\/05\/russia-voices-concern-over-new-us-nuclear-weapon\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia voices concern over new US submarine-launched nuclear weapon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Trump administration’s new nuclear warhead, a low-yield variety meant to provide a new layer of nuclear deterrence, has been fielded for the first time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

MOSCOW \u2014 A senior Russian diplomat raised concern Wednesday about the United States deploying a new submarine-launched nuclear weapon, saying the move signaled Washington\u2019s belief that it could wage a limited nuclear conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pentagon\u2019s top policy official told The Associated Press this week that a nuclear warhead of reduced destructive power had been fitted onto a Trident II intercontinental ballistic missiles carried by nuclear submarines<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Rood, the undersecretary of defense for policy, said the deployment of the so-called low-yield warheads lowers the risk of nuclear war by helping dissuade Russia from initiating a limited nuclear conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Trident
A Trident II D-5 ballistic missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) on June 2, 2014, during a missile test at the Atlantic Missile Range. (Navy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Moscow has rejected U.S. allegations that Russia was considering such a conflict. The Russian government long has criticized the Pentagon\u2019s plans to develop low-yield nuclear weapons, arguing that a limited nuclear conflict would inevitably escalate into a full-blown nuclear war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday that the new missile\u2019s deployment is an indication the United States views a low-intensity nuclear conflict as a feasible option. He described the U.S. move as \u201cvery alarming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t