Such weapons systems are planned to be deployed. SM-6 missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and hypersonic weapons.
The issue of land-based missiles is not a new problem. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed in 1987, banned missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometers. It was the first time that the two superpowers – the United States and the Soviet Union – agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals.
Several European countries, including Germany, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, later joined the INF Treaty. These countries destroyed their missiles.
However, in 2019, the United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, citing Russia's violation. According to the Americans, Moscow has developed the 9M729 surface-launched cruise missile (NATO code: SSC-8), which violates the terms of the treaty. Russia has denied this accusation and ordered to stop the development of this type of missile.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this at the end of last June. Moscow must resume production of nuclear-capable intermediate- and short-range missiles.
Although Russia has promised not to install such missiles, since the United States has resumed production and taken them to Denmark for training – and even to the Philippines – Moscow must act as well.
Putin stressed.
Source: Reuters
Cover image credit: Smith/Gado Collection/Getty Images
