Kuala Lumpur, Oct 31 (NationPress) - US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, on Friday, supported President Donald Trump's unexpected order to recommence nuclear weapons testing, asserting that such a move would render nuclear conflict "less likely."

During a press briefing at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Hegseth addressed the directive revealed by Trump for the resumption of US nuclear weapons testing.

He stated, "We would collaborate with the Department of Energy, but the President was explicit that we need a credible nuclear deterrent. This is the foundation of our deterrence strategy, and thus, understanding and restarting testing is a very responsible approach to achieve that."

Hegseth emphasized that knowing the capabilities of the arsenal and ensuring its operational effectiveness would make nuclear conflict "less likely." He asserted, "It’s the right directive."

Through testing, he noted, America will guarantee it possesses the "strongest, most capable nuclear arsenal" to uphold "peace through strength."

He added, "We do not seek conflict with China or any other nation. However, the more robust we are, and the stronger our alliances become through collaboration with allies in this region and globally, the lesser the chances of conflict."

In a recent social media update, Trump indicated that he had directed the Pentagon to initiate nuclear weapons testing after a hiatus of 33 years, stating it would be done "on an equal basis" in light of the nuclear developments of China and Russia. This directive has raised alarms regarding the potential for a new nuclear arms race.

Hours before his meeting with China's President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, Trump cryptically noted on Truth Social, "Due to the testing programs of other countries, I have instructed the Department of War to commence our Nuclear Weapons testing on an equal basis."

He added that this process would "begin immediately."

Trump also claimed that the US has more nuclear weapons than any other nation due to a "complete update and renovation of existing weapons" accomplished during his first term without any nuclear tests, as scientists argue that computer simulations suffice.

He remarked that despite his reluctance, he felt he had "no choice" but to expand the nuclear arsenal, given that "Russia ranks second, and China is a distant third, but will catch up within five years."

Only North Korea has conducted a nuclear test recently, which occurred in 2017.

The US last performed a nuclear test in 1992, while China and Russia's predecessors executed theirs in 1996 and 1990, respectively. France last tested in 1996, and Britain did so in 1991 at a US facility in Nevada. Both India and Pakistan conducted their last tests in 1998.