CBO Report: Nuclear Arsenal Plans Have A $1.2 Trillion Price Tag

Modernizing, operating and maintaining the U.S. nuclear arsenal will cost about $1.2 trillion over the next 30 years. That's according a new a report by the Congressional Budget Office. 

The report's estimate is based on plans made under the Obama administration. Modernization efforts account for about $400 billion of the cost.

The arsenal is in need of some kind of an update. The report states that "many of today's nuclear weapon systems were designed and built decades ago and are nearing the end of their service life."

The hefty price tag allocates funds for intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic aerial bombers and ballistic missile submarines, among other things.

The Trump Administration began a Nuclear Posture Review earlier this year to determine new strategies and policies for the U.S. arsenal.

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President Donald Trump has made it clear the issue is important to him. He tweeted shortly after his election, "The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes."

The CBO's numbers don't factor in any of the potential changes Trump might make to the U.S. modernization plan. It does, however, offer some suggestions on how to reduce costs under the current plan.