Reducing alert rates of nuclear weapons
By: Hans M. Kristensen and Matthew McKinzie ; UNIDIR, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
Contributors: McKinzie, Matthew, author; United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
Publisher: United Nations
Published: 2012
Place of publication: New York; Geneva
Language: eng
Number of pages: 53
Subjects: Nuclear arms control; Nuclear weapons; International Security; Nuclear disarmament
Description: The nuclear-weapon states maintain nearly 2,000 warheads ready for use on short notice. Such alert levels vastly exceed security needs and undermine efforts to reduce, and eventually eliminate, nuclear arsenals. Alert leves are sustained by circular logic -- forces are on alert because there are forces on alert. While some argue that the de-alerting of nuclear forces would provoke dangerous instability, such judgments appeart to be deeply rooted in Cold War thinking. This study demonstrates that nuclear de-alerting is, in fact, feasible and achievable in a secure and stable manner.
Notes: "UNIDIR/2012/6."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 40-52).

Also available online.