U.S. Wants to Redeploy Sub-Based Nuclear Missiles in Asia-Pacific

The U.S. Senate is reviewing a defense bill for 2018 that includes the redeployment of submarine-based nuclear missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.

The plan is apparently aimed at deterring North Korean nuclear and missile provocations.

Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, proposed the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in July. It calls for several changes in U.S. nuclear weapons deployment, including redeployment of submarine-based nuclear cruise missiles that were pulled out of the Asia-Pacific region some 20 years ago.

It also calls for the deployment of aircraft that can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons in the region, extending the missile defense network and stepping up military drills with allies.

The bill will be put to the vote once hundreds of revisions proposed by senators have been reviewed. The ruling Republican Party hopes that will happen this month.

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