More nukes is a stronger deterrent. You can build more nuclear missiles if some of them are cheaper, and the easiest way to make them cheaper is to make them smaller and shorter range. Deploying nukes closer to the enemy means you can bring more of your stockpile into play, as the cheaper ones will now have more potential targets.
Another factor is the nuclear weapon reduction treaties only count ICBMs, plane dropped nukes, and SLBMs(submarine launches missiles). Nuclear tipped TBMs and SRBMs don't count, and while it's hard to tell because it's all kept secret, most newly built nukes are probably of the shorter ranged type as a result.
Edit: The rule of thumb is called the nuclear triad. That's one third ICBMs, one third SLBMs, and one third plane launched. The planes have become less relevant over time, and have mostly been replaced with shorter ranged missiles.
More nukes is a stronger deterrent. You can build more nuclear missiles if some of them are cheaper, and the easiest way to make them cheaper is to make them smaller and shorter range. Deploying nukes closer to the enemy means you can bring more of your stockpile into play, as the cheaper ones will now have more potential targets.
Another factor is the nuclear weapon reduction treaties only count ICBMs, plane dropped nukes, and SLBMs(submarine launches missiles). Nuclear tipped TBMs and SRBMs don't count, and while it's hard to tell because it's all kept secret, most newly built nukes are probably of the shorter ranged type as a result.
Edit: The rule of thumb is called the nuclear triad. That's one third ICBMs, one third SLBMs, and one third plane launched. The planes have become less relevant over time, and have mostly been replaced with shorter ranged missiles.