In: Routledge library editions. Nuclear security, 2
In the 1970s tactical nuclear warfare was a topical issue. The introduction of the new generation of tactical nuclear weapons into Europe could have had disastrous consequences. These new weapons had already been developed by nuclear-weapon laboratories and pressures were growing for their deployment. On first sight, smaller and more accurate nuclear weapons may seem more humane and militarily preferable to the relatively high-yield tactical nuclear weapons currently deployed. But some of these new types of weapons would blur the distinction between nuclear and conventional weapons and their use would make escalation to strategic nuclear war extremely likely. Indeed, the argument for these new weapons is that their use in wartime is more credible (and therefore acceptable') than current types of tactical nuclear weapons. This perception could easily lead to the exceedingly dangerous idea that some types of tactical nuclear war were winnable'. The fact has to be faced that any use of nuclear weapons is almost certain to escalate until all available weapons are used. To believe otherwise is to believe that one side will surrender before it has used all the weapons in its arsenal. History shows that this is most unlikely to happen. Because of its importance, SIPRI organized a meeting to discuss the whole question. Originally published in 1978, this book is the outcome of that meeting.
In: Routledge library editions. Nuclear security 2
In: Routledge Library Editions: Nuclear Security Ser.
Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Series Page -- Original Title Page -- Original Copyright Page -- Preface -- Contents -- Tables and Figures -- List of participants -- Acronyms and Abbreviations -- Part One. Basic data on tactical nuclear weapons -- Chapter 1. Background information on tactical nuclear weapons (primarily in the European context) -- I. The USA and NATO -- Tactical nuclear weapons -- definitions and distribution -- An historical review: the development of tactical nuclear weapons, and their entry into NATO Europe -- The context of the European conventional military balance -- Targets and plans -- 1974: An attempt to reduce US tactical nuclear weapons in Europe -- The safety and security of nuclear weapons in European or other overseas locations -- Modernization of US tactical nuclear weapons, the new debate, 1970-1977 -- II. Tactical nuclear weapons of France -- III. Tactical nuclear weapons of the United Kingdom -- IV. Tactical nuclear weapons of the USSR -- References -- Appendix 1. Nuclear weapon delivery systems distribution in NATO -- Forward based systems -- Aircraft capable of nuclear weapon delivery -- Matador -- Mace -- Atomic Demolition Munitions -- Permissive Action Links (PAL) controls, and double key arrangements -- Appendix 2. General tables - USA and USSR -- Chapter 2. Tactical nuclear weapons in Europe -- I. Introduction -- II. Defining TNWs -- lll. Strategic doctrines of NATO and the WTO -- The strategic doctrine of NATO -- The strategic doctrine of the WTO -- IV. Comparison of USA-NATO and Soviet- WTO tactical nuclear weapons -- US-NATO capabilities -- Atomic demolition munitions (ADMs) -- Soviet-WTO capabilities -- V. Issues and proposals -- VI. Conclusions -- Part Two. The Issues -- Chapter 3. Tactical nuclear weapons: problems of definition and application.
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9781000200393, 1000200396, 9781000200492, 1000200493, 9781000200447, 1000200442, 9781003053361, 100305336X, 0367513196, 9780367513191
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