Recently, Russia announced its decision to suspend its participation in the New START treaty, which is officially known as the “Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms”. The New START is the last remaining major military agreement between the United States and Russia, and its suspension may have significant implications for global security.
What is the New START Treaty?
The New START treaty is one of the key controls on the superpower deployment of nuclear weapons. It was signed by Barack Obama in 2010 and extended by Joe Biden until 2026. The treaty restricts both countries to a maximum of 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads each and limits launchers and heavy bombers to 800. It also outlines mutual inspections and regular data exchanges on warheads and delivery mechanisms.
Why is the Suspension Significant?
The New START treaty is the last remaining arms control treaty between the world’s two main nuclear powers, the US and Russia. The treaty’s suspension may mean that it will be harder for the US to monitor compliance, as Russia has already suspended mutual inspections of nuclear weapons sites and participation in a bilateral consultative commission. The suspension of reporting and data exchange on nuclear weapon movements and other related developments may lead to an increased risk of miscalculation and conflict.
Background on the New START Treaty
The New START treaty is the successor to the START-I, which was signed between the US and the erstwhile USSR in 1991, and came into force in 1994. START-I was replaced first by the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT, also known as the Treaty of Moscow), and then by the New START treaty.
Structure of the New START Treaty
The New START treaty applies to “strategic offensive arms,” which refers to nuclear warheads deployed by Strategic Nuclear Delivery Vehicles (‘SNDVs’), such as Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (‘ICBMs’) with a range exceeding 5,500 kilometers. The treaty restricts both countries to a maximum of 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads each and limits launchers and heavy bombers to 800. It also outlines mutual inspections and regular data exchanges on warheads and delivery mechanisms. It includes an agreement to notify each other about the status of some ballistic missiles.
Implications for Global Security
The suspension of the New START treaty may have significant implications for global security. The treaty has been one of the key controls on the superpower deployment of nuclear weapons, and its suspension may lead to an increased risk of miscalculation and conflict. Moreover, the suspension may lead to a new arms race between the US and Russia, as both countries may seek to increase their nuclear capabilities in the absence of a formal agreement.
Why In News
The New START treaty was a critical arms control agreement between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, and its suspension could have significant implications for global security. Without the treaty’s provisions for mutual inspections and data exchange, it may become more challenging to monitor the deployment and movement of nuclear weapons, potentially leading to an increased risk of nuclear proliferation and arms races.
MCQs about The New START Treaty
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What does START stand for in the New START treaty?
A. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
B. Strategic Advanced Reduction Treaty
C. Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty
D. Strategic Nuclear Delivery Treaty
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When did the New START treaty take effect?
A. 1991
B. 1994
C. 2010
D. 2011
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What is the maximum number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads allowed for each country under the New START treaty?
A. 1,550
B. 1,000
C. 2,000
D. 800
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