Why 2nd Strike Capability is Essential for Deterrence

The concept of deterrence has been the cornerstone of every military strategy since ancient times. The idea behind deterrence is that the threat of punishment will prevent any potential adversary from taking hostile action. In theory, the mere fact that an opponent will suffer unacceptable losses should they attempt to attack should be enough to dissuade them from doing so.

However, the world of international relations has never been that simple, and today, the situation is even more complex. With the presence of non-state actors who are not deterred by conventional means, states must look for new ways to deter aggression. This is where the concept of second-strike capability comes into play.

Second-strike capability is the ability of a nation to survive a nuclear attack and retaliate with a devastating counterstrike. This retaliatory strike could be delivered by submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) or by land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The concept of second-strike capability is based on the idea of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), which posits that both nations involved in a nuclear conflict will be completely destroyed in the end. The threat of MAD is considered one of the main reasons why nuclear war has not occurred since World War II.

The need for second-strike capability arises from the fact that any country that cannot survive a nuclear first strike is vulnerable to coercion. If a nation knows that an opponent can destroy them in a single blow, they are more likely to cede to their demands in a crisis. Thus, a country that possesses second-strike capability has the advantage of being able to deter its opponent from using nuclear weapons or, in some cases, threaten a nuclear strike in response.

The importance of second-strike capability can be demonstrated by the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both nations had the ability to deliver a devastating first strike capable of destroying their opponent entirely. However, the fact that each side held the second-strike capability prevented a war from breaking out. Additionally, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the fact that both nations were aware of the other’s second-strike capability prevented the crisis from escalating into a full-blown nuclear war.

In conclusion, second-strike capability is an essential component of deterrence in the modern world. Without it, a nation is vulnerable to coercion, and a crisis can potentially escalate into a nuclear war. As such, it is imperative that nations invest in maintaining and developing their second-strike capabilities to ensure stability and peace in the world.