What are the three parts of the Nuclear Triad?

The three components of the Nuclear Triad are indeed comprised of the Land Leg, Air Leg, and Sea Leg. This triad consists of strategic capabilities provided through different platforms that ensure a credible deterrent against potential nuclear threats.

The Land Leg refers to land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that can be launched from fixed silos or mobile platforms. The Air Leg includes strategic bombers that can deliver nuclear payloads and provide flexibility in response options, as their deployment can serve as a deterrent and a visible show of force. The Sea Leg encompasses submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) aboard nuclear submarines, which offer stealth and survivability, making them critical for second-strike capabilities.

Each of these components plays a vital role in maintaining a balanced and effective nuclear deterrent strategy, allowing a nation to retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack. This diversification across land, air, and sea ensures that the deterrent is resilient against the various methods of attack that an adversary might employ.