Important Facts For Prelims
New START Treaty
- 11 Aug 2022
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Recently, Russia suspended United Stated of America’s on-site inspections under New START Treaty with Washington due to Western sanctions and coronavirus infections.
What is New START Treaty?
- New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former Cold War rivals and caps to 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by Russia and United States of America.
- It entered into force on 5th February, 2011.
- It continues the bipartisan process of verifiably reducing U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals by limiting both sides to 700 strategic launchers and 1,550 operational warheads.
- Its duration was for ten years that is till 2021, but it was extended by five more years till 2026.
What are the various Treaties signed Between USA & Russia?
- Strategic Arms Limitation Talks-1(SALT):
- It began in 1969, Under the Interim Agreement, both sides pledged not to construct new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos, not to increase the size of existing ICBM silos significantly, and capped the number of Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) launch tubes and SLBM-carrying submarines.
- Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty-1 (START):
- Signed in 1991, the agreement required the destruction of excess delivery vehicles which was verified using an intrusive verification regime that involved on-site inspections, the regular exchange of information (including telemetry), and the use of national technical means (i.e., satellites).
- Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty-2:
- Signed in 1993, called for reducing deployed strategic arsenals to 3,000-3,500 warheads and banned the deployment of destabilizing multiple-warhead land-based missiles.
- Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT):
- Signed in 2004, under which the United States and Russia reduced their strategic arsenals to 1,700-2,200 warheads each.
- Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START):
- Signed in 2010, a legally binding, verifiable agreement that limits each side to 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads deployed on 700 strategic delivery systems (ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers) and limits deployed and nondeployed launchers to 800.
Why Russia Suspended the Inspection?
- It is difficult for Russia to carry out inspections on American soil due to Western sanctions including the closure of air space for Russian planes and visa restrictions.
- It also pointed to a new spike in coronavirus cases in the United States.
