ICYMI: At CSIS, Fischer Outlines Strategic Forces Priorities

WASHINGTON - Today,U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined strategic deterrence experts atthe Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) to discuss consequential issues defining the future of U.S. strategic forces and her priorities as chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee's Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

Watch the full discussion here or by clicking the image above.

Senator Fischer was joined by Kari Bingen, director of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project; Heather Williams, director of the CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues; and Tom Karako, director of theCSIS Missile Defense Project.

On the current nuclear threat environment:

"The world has changed. We live in a very dangerous world, the most dangerous since World War II. Look at Russia: they have not paused on their modernization. They have modernized their nuclear triad. ... They look at new platforms, new delivery systems.

"In the [Strategic] Posture Commission [report], it said that China was advancing at a breathtaking speed, whether it's their triad, their development, the building of new silos, the improvements that they continue to make on their submarines and their bombers. … We're still operating in a strategic environment that was decided in 2010. … The world that we face has changed since then, and we need to recognize that."

On the New START Treaty's expiration:

"[The United States was] the only one that the New START Treaty constrained. We were the only ones that were adhering to it. Russia … basically pulled out in 2023. They don't follow treaties anyway. As we look to the future, none of us want to see an arms race. And I don't believe we will see an arms race. But the United States needs to be able to develop what we need to protect this country. Russia is. China is.

"When we look at possible treaties in the future, we want to make sure that we aren't just in a [bilateral treaty] with Russia. China has to be involved too, and they have given no indication that they want to participate in any kind of treaty on this. But we need [it] to be … verifiable and have accountability in treaties and have them enforced with Russia and with China. I don't think we should be so naïve to think 'well let's just do a treaty with Russia, and everything's going to be fine.' Remember who they are. Remember that they don't keep treaties. And remember that they're our peer competitor. With China - if we are truly going to be safe and secure as a nation - they have to be involved in this process as well."

On nuclear modernization:

"We're really fortunate that on the Senate Armed Services Committee … the majority of senators support modernization. We try to continue to talk about it all the time: how important it is to modernize the triad. One area of the triad we have tremendous focus on in our Strategic Forces Subcommittee - which Senator King and I have numerous briefings on - is Sentinel. With General White, who's now in as the [Direct Reporting Program Manager], that's going to help because he has a direct line to the Pentagon to make sure this program moves forward because it can't fail. We have to have a new Sentinel. …

"Obviously, we need to look at the B-21. Admiral Richard, General Cotton, Admiral Correll - they have all said that the number of 100 B-21s is not enough. Again, we're in a different environment, and it's not just looking at Russia and China, but it's looking at where these planes would have to be deployed. So, it's not just STRATCOM's needs but it's also the Indo-Pacific. So, the number that's out there right now is 145 on the B-21s. But already there's talk that it needs to be more.

"And then too to be able to look at the Columbia-class [submarine] to be able to move faster. We just need to move faster on everything. But to look at other options like SLCM-N, to be able to have the commanders present the president - if ever needed - with a variety of options if it would come to that. That's important to have too. …

"We want to make sure we maintain the triad and continue to modernize it. We also want it to be effective. We always want it to be credible. We always want it to be safe. And we are on a good path forward to get that done."

On Golden Dome:

"I'm very supportive of Golden Dome. We had put in the [National Defense Authorization Act] in [Fiscal Year 2025] the wording for the Department to do a study on a missile defense system, a layered system for the homeland. We're looking at homeland as our No. 1 priority. … In the most recent reconciliation bill, we were able to get $24 billion for Golden Dome. … I think the public is becoming more aware of the importance to have that layered defense system, to have those sensors, the radar, the capability of different not just offensive but defensive programs that we are going to need to protect this homeland and vital infrastructure."

On drones and AI:

"We all have a better understanding of how warfare has changed because of Ukraine and the drones they have there. We are also moving on drones. But to watch Russia's response, and they are responding, I think that highlights for us the need to be able to defend with drones as well. You brought up Barksdale [Air Force Base]. When you see a swarm coming in, AI can help identify what the pattern is there and then allow our drones to identify how to respond to it. It's going to have to happen very quickly. If we aren't ready for the future, we're in trouble."

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