President Biden is facing growing pressure to reverse his decision to cancel a $10 billion programme to develop nuclear sea-launched cruise missiles.
The new deterrent weapon system, known as SLCM-N, had been fully supported by the military hierarchy at the Pentagon, but was officially scrapped last month as part of a nuclear posture review.
Despite backing from General Mark Milley, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, the nuclear cruise missile was assessed to be of “zero value” in terms of deterrence against Russia and China, and other potential threats.
However, US defence sources confirmed that since the decision, “hawks on the Hill” who disagreed with military cuts made by the Biden administration had pushed back to demand a rethink.
A former senior Pentagon