US to upgrade old nukes in Europe to 'all-in-one' bombs

The Pentagon has announced it will upgrade old nuclear bombs deployed in Europe to all-purpose missiles with augmented tactical potential, in what many arms watchdogs believe to be the equivalent of developing a new weapon.

The new development contradicts President Obama's vow not to create any new nuclear weapons or enhance old ones to give them new military capabilities. Critics also warn this decision may threaten disarmament negotiations between NATO and Russia, who are to tackle non-strategic nuclear weapons.

Last week, spokespeople of the military, the Pentagon and the Energy Department announced the joint program to redesign B-61 nuclear bombs, which have been the primary nukes in the US arsenal since the end of the Cold War.

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