Strategic Deterrence

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's (DTRA) mission is to enable the Department of Defense (DoD), The United States Government and International partners to counter and deter weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and emerging threats.

DTRA serves two distinct, yet highly integrated roles as both a Defense Agency and a Combat Support Agency. Within the framework of these dual roles, we leverage our core functions, which enable us to detect, deter, and defeat threat across the spectrum.

Strategic Deterrence card Graphic

To enable Strategic Deterrence, DTRA

Partners with Interagency to

  • Maintain positive control over U.S. nuclear weapons, components, and materials
  • Monitor the status of the U.S. nuclear arsenal
  • Maintain nuclear security technologies, safety training, guidance, standards, and policies associated with the nuclear deterrent

Enhances resilience by:

  • Focusing on critical infrastructure, site vulnerability
  • Controlling in-place measures for U.S. nuclear weapons, components, and material