| Nuclear weapons |
|---|
 |
| Background |
| Nuclear-armed states |
|
In nuclear strategy, a retaliatory strike or second-strike capability is a country's assured ability to respond to a nuclear attack with powerful nuclear retaliation against the attacker.[1] To have such an ability (and to convince an opponent of its viability) is considered vital in nuclear deterrence, as otherwise the other side might attempt to try to win a nuclear war in one massive first strike against its opponent's own nuclear forces.
- ^ Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 240. ISBN 9780850451634.