Nuclear deterrent

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For any of the nuclear weapons states, the nuclear deterrent is that country's nuclear weapons arsenal, considered in a defensive context.

A nuclear deterrent is typically intended to deter other states from attacking with nuclear weapons through the promise of retaliation and mutually assured destruction (MAD). It can also be assigned as a response to an attack by conventional forces; for example, the doctrine of massive retaliation threatened to launch US nuclear weapons in response to Soviet attacks.

In order for a nuclear deterrent to be successful, a country must preserve its second-strike capability. A successful nuclear deterrent is usually composed of a nuclear triad.

The nuclear deterrent of each of the nuclear weapons states is discussed individually under the entry for that country.

[edit] See also

• first strike
• deterrence
• mutually assured destruction