ABSTRACT
In recent years there has been renewed interest in tactical nuclear forces as evidenced by a spate of studies on force postures and capabilities, on concepts for the employment of tactical nuclear forces, and on the roles these can play in deterrence and defence, most notably in Europe. Mass attacks designed to blast holes in enemy defences would become more difficult. Even ceilings on increases in nuclear forces, or freezes in present force levels, could affect to some degree the ability to wage nuclear war in Europe – and hence perceptions of the intent to do so. A freeze on numbers of tactical delivery vehicles might be useful in ensuring that new nuclear-capable airplanes are used to replace old ones, rather than to increase the number of strike aircraft, or that improved missiles cannot be allocated to a country not now possessing them without withdrawing equal numbers of the older weapons from another country.
