The United States should get rid of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), writes The American Conservative magazine.

According to the publication, these missiles are “relics of the Cold War,” and the United States will have enough strategic aircraft and submarines to deter potential adversaries. Land-based nuclear weapons only serve as a burden on the country's budget, and also increase the likelihood of miscalculation.

Since the 60s of the last century, the United States has developed a triad of methods for delivering a nuclear strike on the USSR, including strategic aviation, submarines and land-based missiles, the newspaper writes. Although the USSR collapsed long ago, the doctrine has not changed.

The priority of the country's nuclear policy is to contain a potential strike against the United States. At the same time, an attack on the United States would be suicidal without ground-based missiles, the newspaper notes. After all, the United States has 14 submarines capable of carrying nuclear missiles, most of which are constantly at sea, and the country's Air Force has 96 aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

“Intercontinental ballistic missiles are not just not needed for deterrence. The risk of strategic miscalculation they pose is appalling,” writes The American Conservative.

In the event of an attack, American ICBMs must be launched before they are destroyed by incoming enemy missiles. And if the alarm turns out to be false, the United States will inadvertently start a nuclear war, the newspaper notes. After all, missiles, unlike bombers and submarines, cannot be withdrawn.

Nevertheless, now the United States is going to upgrade its ground-based nuclear arsenal. Northrop Grumman plans to deliver the new rocket in 2029.

“Given their weak strategic rationale, high probability of miscalculation, and exorbitant costs of modernization, it is time for America to abandon land-based nuclear weapons in favor of bombers and submarines,” the article says.

According to the author of the article, the decommissioning of ICBMs will also send a signal to Russia and China that the United States is striving to avoid a tragic escalation of the situation.

“By dumping intercontinental ballistic missiles, America gets a nuclear force that is just as deadly, but more controllable, tenacious and useful,” the publication concludes.