Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel advocated that the United States modernize its nuclear arsenal in a speech on Wednesday, claiming that he has always valued the importance of U.S. nuclear capabilities.
Hagel told the Defense Nuclear Weapons School on Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico that he values the importance of nuclear deterrence.
"The deterrence capabilities that nuclear gives us—and as I have said in the past and believe firmly—that nuclear deterrence has probably had a lot to do with keeping peace in the world since World War II," said Hagel. "The American people have to be assured of the safe and secure and reliability of the nuclear component of our national security."
Hagel praised the people he met during his visit, who are working on nuclear modernization capabilities.
"They understand the privilege of helping make a better world," he said.
The defense secretary has not always been such a staunch defender of nuclear weapons.
Hagel was one of five members of the Global Zero Nuclear Policy Commission, which advocated eliminating all nuclear weapons and making unilateral strategic arms cuts.
The report produced by the commission offered a plan for the United States to "reduce its reliance on nuclear weapons."
Global Zero envisions a better "world without nuclear weapons."
"We're challenging the 20th century idea of basing national security on the threat of mass destruction–and together we are making real progress on the road to global zero," Global Zero wrote on its website.
Hagel’s involvement with Global Zero caused concern with senators from both sides of the aisle during his confirmation process last year.
"[Hagel] was part of a group called Global Zero, and for those of us who care deeply about our nuclear arsenal and modernization and that type of thing, some of the things that were authored in this report candidly are just concerning," said Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.) in the lead-up to Hagel’s confirmation hearing.
Hagel also has proposed legislation that demonstrated his anti-nuclear views.
Hagel co-sponsored legislation during his time as a senator with then-Sen. Barack Obama advocating that the United States reach an agreement to halt all production of "fissile material for nuclear weapons."