The US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced on Friday a comprehensive plan to reform the nuclear enterprise, calling for additional critical investments to address "cultural issues that have hurt the morale of the nuclear force." In a press statement, Hagel said an internal and external review of the entire Defense Department nuclear enterprise, that was directed by him last February, led to such reforms.
"While our nuclear forces are meeting the demands of the mission and dedication, significant changes are required to address systemic problems that could undermine the safety, security and effectiveness of the force in the future," Hagel explained the outcome of the review.
He added that the review identified more than 100 recommendations to improve the forces and focus on several areas, including oversight, investment, personnel and training.
"These investments will cost several billion dollars over the five-year defense spending program, in addition to ongoing modernization requirement," Hagel said, emphasizing that the Department will prioritize funding on actions "that improve the security and sustainment of the current force," and tackle the issues that undermining the morale of the force.
The nuclear enterprise faced recent scandals that were reported by the Associated Press (AP) news agency, which led to the review ordered by Hagel, including two incidents of "tests cheating" and lack of accountability among leaders of the force.