NEW START TREATY
Context
Recently, Russia suspended US on-site inspections under New START Treaty with United States of America.
Background
- The initial Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty/START-I was inked in 1991 between the United States and the former Soviet Union and entered into effect in 1994.
- START-I lapsed in 2009, limiting the number of nuclear weapons (to 6,000) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to 1,600.
- This was followed by the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT)/Moscow Treaty, and then by the New START treaty.
What is NEW START TREATY?
- The last remaining weapons reduction treaty between the former Cold War adversaries, New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), limits the number of nuclear warheads that Russia and the United States of America can deploy to 1,550.
- It came into force in February 2011.
- It maintains the bipartisan process of verifiably lowering the strategic nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia by restricting both parties to 700 strategic launchers and 1,550 operational weapons.
- It was supposed to last ten years, until 2021, but it was prolonged by five years until 2026.
What are the different Treaties made by the United States and Russia?
- SALT-1 (Strategic Weapons Reduction Talks):
- It started in 1969, with both parties agreeing not to build new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos, not to substantially increase the size of current ICBM silos, and to limit the number of Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) launch tubes and SLBM-carrying submarines.
- START-1 (Strategic Weapons Reduction Treaty):
- The agreement, signed in 1991, required the destruction of excess delivery vehicles, which was verified through an intrusive verification regime that included on-site inspections, regular information exchange (including telemetry), and the use of national technical means (i.e., satellites).
- Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty-2:
- Signed in 1993, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty-2 called for lowering deployed strategic arsenals to 3,000-3,500 warheads and prohibiting the deployment of disruptive multiple-warhead land-based missiles.
- Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT)
- Signed in 2004, the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) decreased the United States and Russia’s strategic arsenals to 1,700-2,200 weapons each.
- Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START):
- A legally enforceable, verifiable agreement signed in 2010 that restricts each party to 1,550 strategic nuclear missiles deployed on 700 strategic delivery systems (ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers) and 800 deployed and nondeployed launchers.
How is the treaty’s compliance ensured?
Both sides have conducted on-site inspections, exchanged notifications, held meetings with the Bilateral Consultative Commission, and shared data.
Why did Russia suspend the inspection?
Due to Western sanctions, including the closing of air space for Russian aircraft and visa restrictions, it is challenging for Russia to conduct inspections on American territory.
What are the implications of the suspension?
- The suspension of the treaty may make it more difficult for the US to oversee compliance.
- Given that Russia has already suspended mutual inspections of nuclear weapons sites and participation in a bilateral consultative commission. Experts say it would be a serious blow if Russia went further and stopped routine reporting and data exchange on nuclear weapon movements and other related developments.
- The action is “entirely symboli”, and Russia most likely made the announcement to put pressure on the US to approach Russia about ending the conflict, so Russia could set the terms.
Conclusion
- Over the decades, the two parties signed different arms control treaties, putting a stop to the Cold War rivalry’s alarming nuclear weapons race.
- However, profound fissures in their relationship, as well as the suspension of almost all treaties in recent years, have increased the danger of a nuclear weapons race once again.