Trump Orders Resumption of U.S. Nuclear Weapons Testing, Citing Russia and China

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump said he has directed the War Department (formerly the Department of Defense) to restart U.S. nuclear weapons testing. The announcement was made in a Truth Social post on Wednesday and did not include specifics on the scope, method, or timeline of the tests.

Trump’s Directive

In his statement, Trump wrote: “Because of other countries’ testing programs,” namely Russia and China, “I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,”

He did not specify whether any renewed testing would involve nuclear-yield detonations or be limited to subcritical experiments, nor did he indicate whether delivery systems would be tested by air, sea, or land.

Key developments

• Directive issued Oct. 30, 2025: Trump said the U.S. will restart nuclear weapons testing to match rivals.
• Details unclear: The administration has not outlined test modalities, locations, or schedules.
• Russian context: The move follows Russia’s test of a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile.
• Last U.S. nuclear test: Conducted just over 30 years ago, about 65 miles north of Las Vegas.
• Arms control horizon: The New START treaty expires on Feb. 4, 2026.

International Context: Russia and China

The announcement comes shortly after Russia tested its nuclear-capable and nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile. A Kremlin spokesperson said the weapon does not fall under nuclear weapons tests restricted by international treaties.

Trump’s post also cited China. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates that China will have more than 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. In early September 2025, China’s Victory Day parade showcased five nuclear delivery capabilities reported to be able to reach the continental United States.

U.S. Nuclear Posture and Modernization

The United States maintains a nuclear triad of land-based Minuteman III ICBMs, Trident II SLBMs on ballistic missile submarines, and strategic bombers. The current modernization effort includes the transition from Minuteman III to the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM, part of a broader policy of maintaining and updating the arsenal to address evolving threats.

The last U.S. nuclear test took place a little over three decades ago at a site approximately 65 miles north of Las Vegas, involving an experimental design rather than an operational weapon. Much of the U.S. stockpile has aged without comprehensive refurbishment, raising concerns among strategists amid intensifying geopolitical competition.

Power and Parity: Global Arsenals and Arms Control

Nine countries currently possess nuclear weapons: Russia, the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel (widely believed), and North Korea. While Trump stated the U.S. holds the largest number of nuclear weapons, many assessments suggest Russia has the largest number of nuclear warheads.

Collectively, nuclear-armed states possess about 12,331 nuclear warheads, with more than 9,600 in active military stockpiles, according to the Federation of Atomic Scientists’ 2025 Status of the Worlds Nuclear Forces. Although down from roughly 70,000 during the Cold War, arsenals are expected to grow over the next decade and today’s forces are significantly more capable.

The New START treaty, which limits U.S. and Russian deployed strategic nuclear forces, will expire on Feb. 4, 2026. Some analysts argue bilateral limits constrain U.S. flexibility amid China’s expansion and Russia’s posture in Europe; others contend that engaging China in future arrangements could broaden the benefits of arms control and enhance strategic stability.

Entering a ‘Third Nuclear Age’

Analysts describe a “third nuclear age” marked by rapid advances from U.S. competitors and the blurring of lines between nuclear and conventional strategic effects. The 2022 Nuclear Posture Review broadened the discussion of deterrence, highlighting that conventional attacks can generate strategic-level consequences, even as Washington continues modernization and alliance assurance measures.

Russia’s hybrid activity – from undersea cable disruptions to developing a space-based nuclear threat – underscores the evolving landscape in which nuclear signaling, advanced delivery systems, and non-nuclear capabilities interact.

What Comes Next

Key details about any U.S. nuclear testing – scope, type, location, and timing – remain undisclosed. Attention will now turn to how Washington defines the parameters of renewed testing, the reaction of U.S. allies and rivals, and the implications for the New START endgame in 2026. With global arsenals modernizing and great-power competition intensifying, decisions in the coming months may shape nuclear policy and arms control for the decade ahead.