Doctrine & strategy
Nuclear Triad
A three-pronged nuclear force structure consisting of land-based ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers.
The triad provides survivability through diversity: each leg has different vulnerabilities. ICBMs are accurate but fixed; SLBMs are survivable but harder to recall; bombers are flexible but slow. The US, Russia, China, and India operate full triads; the UK and France rely solely on SLBMs.
Related terms
ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile)
A long-range ballistic missile (range > 5,500 km) designed to deliver nuclear warheads between continents.
SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile)
A ballistic missile launched from a submerged submarine, providing a survivable second-strike nuclear capability.
Second Strike
The retaliatory nuclear capability remaining after absorbing an opponent's first strike — the foundation of deterrence under MAD.
MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)
A Cold War strategic doctrine in which two or more nuclear-armed adversaries each possess sufficient retaliatory capability that any nuclear attack would result in their own destruction.