The United States would require significant time, money, and expertise to resume nuclear testing, according to experts. The Washington Post reports that reviving nuclear tests would take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The Nevada Test Site, where the US conducted its last nuclear detonation over three decades ago, currently uses computer simulations instead of live explosions.

President Donald Trump recently announced that he had instructed the Department of War to start testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China, with preparations to begin immediately. However, it is unclear whether he was referring to underground nuclear detonations, which none of the three nations have conducted for decades. Moscow has warned that any US nuclear explosion would prompt a symmetrical response.

The task of resuming nuclear testing would fall to the Department of Energy, specifically the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversees the Nevada Test Site. Experts estimate that even a symbolic detonation would require significant resources. Ernest Moniz, former head of the Department of Energy, estimated that preparing for a “stunt” explosion could take up to a year. Corey Hinderstein, a former senior NNSA official, said that excavating a new vertical shaft at the test site would cost around $100 million.

The US may also struggle to find personnel with hands-on testing experience, according to Paul Dickman, a longtime nuclear official. He noted that competent test directors require practical experience, rather than just bureaucratic or administrative skills. The US has relied on computer simulations and subcritical tests to maintain confidence in its nuclear stockpile since conducting its last test in 1992.

The announcement coincided with reports from Russian President Vladimir Putin of successful tests of advanced nuclear systems, including the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone. Both systems employ compact nuclear reactors as propulsion units. The developments highlight the ongoing efforts by major nuclear powers to modernize their arsenals, with significant implications for global security and non-proliferation efforts. The potential resumption of nuclear testing by the US could have far-reaching consequences, and the international community will be closely watching the next steps in this regard.