By Rebecca Robinson

 

WASHINGTON, 05 August. - (ANA)- The US is drafting up a nuclear weapons strategy to prepare for a potential war with Russia or China, it has been reported. Defence Department policy chief Elbridge Colby is overseeing the strategy that emphasises the possible use of shorter-range tactical weapons in the event of a regional conflict, five people familiar with the plans told NBC News.

 

Mr Colby, whose new strategy goes against guidelines that have been followed for decades, is expected to attend a military event in Nebraska on Wednesday and share his views on the matter. He will privately visit the US Strategic Command responsible for nuclear forces, which manages land-based missiles, strategic bombers, and submarines.

 

Under the new plan, it is believed that the nuclear response options presented to the US President during a crisis will be updated.

 

It aims to prevent a conventional war from escalating into a nuclear one while also preventing the opposition from exploiting the conflict, according to reports.

 

The Pentagon previously warned that the US faces two major nuclear rivals at the same time in China and Russia.

 

Last month, the Department of Defence added to the list of foreign institutions tied to "problematic activity" that could threaten US national security, including three of China's most prominent research universities.

 

The list has now grown to include 130 institutions across China, Russia, and Iran.

 

This comes amid reports that China is gaining military knowledge from Russia as it helps Moscow in the war against Ukraine.

 

Beijing has been exporting civilian components, such as engines and electronics, that end up in drones and other weapons used in the four-year-long conflict.

 

In return, it is believed that China is receiving training, intelligence, and advanced military technology from Russia, people briefed on European intelligence told The Economist.

 

Ukraine's allies believe this involved upgrades to China's air and missile defence systems, and help in producing stealthier nuclear submarines.   - (ANA) -

 

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