The professed function of the nuclear weapons on each side is to prevent the other side from using their nuclear weapons. If that's all it is, then we've gotta as: how many nuclear weapons do you need to do that?

You probably don't need more weapons than what's required to destroy every city on earth. There's only 2,300 cities. So, the United States, by that criteria, only needs 2,300 nuclear weapons - well, we've got more than 25,000!

We are categorically against proliferation of nuclear weapons.

We must take steps to prevent further nuclear weapons development or modernization.

This means that the only function of nuclear weapons, while they exist, is to deter a nuclear attack.

Today, India is a nuclear weapons state.