The Naval Brief: Nuclear threats; Deployment funding; China’s naval modernization; and more...

Welcome to The Naval Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the sea services’ future. 

Nuclear concerns grow. Intelligence officials said the world should take Russia’s escalating nuclear threats seriously; however, they have not seen clear indications that Russia’s president would use nuclear weapons in response to military failures in Ukraine, Defense One reports. 

Funding Europe deployments. If troop deployments to Europe increase or are extended, the Pentagon may need more funding on top of the extra $5 billion it has already asked Congress to approve, Defense One reports. 

China’s naval progress. The Congressional Research Service recently released a new report on China’s naval modernization and the implications for the U.S. Navy. Read it, here.

Sign up to get The Naval Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On March 8, the world observed International Women’s Day. On that day in 1945, Phyllis Mae Dailey became the Navy’s first Black nurse. 

From Defense One

EXCLUSIVE: Biden to Tap Colombia As Next Major Non-NATO Ally // Caitlin M. Kenney, Jacqueline Feldscher and Tara Copp

The longtime security partner would be the 19th country and third in South America to receive the designation.

Russia's Rocket Barrages Reveal Bad Planning, Cruelty—and the Absence of Crucial Skills // Patrick Tucker and Tara Copp

"Everybody is surprised by the lack of combined arms capability in the Russian army," said one general-turned-analyst.

Navy's Next 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan Could Avoid Details–Again // Caitlin M. Kenney

Secretary Del Toro wants to give "decision space," but lawmakers want specifics.

Poland Offers Fighter Jets for Ukraine, But US Rejects Swap-and-Send Idea // Tara Copp and Marcus Weisgerber

Warsaw said it would send its MiG-29s to a German air base, leaving delivery to Ukraine up to the U.S. and NATO.