Obama Says $80M|Is Needed for Nukes

WASHINGTON (CN) – President Obama has reported to Congress on his plan to “enhance the safety, security, and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile of the U.S.; modernize the nuclear weapons complex; and maintain the delivery platforms for nuclear weapons,” and has estimated the cost at $80 million over the next 10 years.     The president wrote of keeping “a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal,” while “seeking the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” He said more than 5,000 nuclear warheads will need to be maintained and secured.     “Several thousand” retired warheads await dismantling, according to the Pentagon.      The United States hit a high mark of 31,225 nuclear warheads in 1967. The figure was down to 22,217 by the time the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.      The president made the report, required by the National Defense Authorization Act, in a letter to committees of the House and Senate on armed services, appropriations, and foreign affairs and relations.