Modernizing America’s ICBM Silos: A Pointless Endeavor
Despite genuine concerns about cost overruns, casualties, and the general futility of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the Pentagon is moving forward with a program to modernize these silos and their missiles. The Department of Defense estimates the cost to be $141 billion, but independent research suggests it could be closer to $315 billion.
The Outdated Relic of the Cold War
ICBMs are a relic of the Cold War era, and many experts argue that they serve little purpose in the current geopolitical landscape. With the nuclear trinity of air-based strategic bombers, sea-based stealth submarines, and land-based missiles, the need for ICBMs is questionable. America’s Minuteman III missiles, first deployed in the 1960s, are already very old and in need of replacement with a new missile called the Sentinel.
The High Cost of Modernization
The modernization of America’s ICBM silos comes with a hefty price tag. The plan to purchase 634 Sentinel missiles and update 400 silos and 600 other facilities could cost hundreds of billions of dollars. However, with costs soaring beyond initial projections, there are calls for a reassessment of the program’s necessity. The recent congressional review reaffirmed the Pentagon’s belief in the need for these weapons, but skepticism remains.
The Question of Strategic Value
While some argue that land-based ICBMs are less likely to be targeted by enemy attacks due to their location in the heartland, others question the strategic value of these weapons. Critics like Rep. Adam Smith and Joseph Cirincione have raised concerns about the justification for maintaining and modernizing America’s ICBM arsenal. The debate over the future of these weapons continues, with diverging views on their role in national security.
