The U.S. will face a “bow wave” of increased costs to update its nuclear arsenal, but operating budgets could thereafter return to levels comparable to today's, according to a new study released by a Washington, D.C. think tank.
The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment, in a report released Tuesday, estimates it could cost $704 billion between 2015 and 2039 to fully update and upgrade the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
Although all parts of the nuclear triad need updates, the largest cost is likely to be borne by the Navy while working on a replacement for the Ohio-class nuclear submarines. The Navy’s costs could climb above $12 billion annually in the late 2020s and early 2030s, Harrison said.