US says Russia 'developing' undersea nuclear-armed torpedo*

*US says Russia 'developing' undersea nuclear-armed torpedo*

In its newly released Nuclear Posture Review, the Defense Department has focused much of its multi-billion nuclear effort on an updated nuclear deterrence focused on Russia. "Russia considers the United States & NATO to be the principal threats to its contemporary geopolitical ambitions," the report says.

"The Defense Intelligence Agency currently estimates Russia has a stockpile of 2,000 "non-strategic" nuclear weapons including short-range ballistic missiles, gravity bombs and depth charges that can go on medium range bomber aircraft," according to the report. "DIA also estimates Russia has nuclear-armed anti-ship, anti-submarine missiles and torpedoes. What do they need nuclear depth charges for?" one US official asked.

President Donald Trump highlighted the importance of the review's conclusions Friday in a written statement. "Over the past decade, despite United States efforts to reduce the roles and numbers of nuclear weapons, other nuclear nations grew their stockpiles, increased the prominence of nuclear weapons in their security strategies, and -- in some cases -- pursued the development of new nuclear capabilities to threaten other nations," Trump said.