Russia unveils missile to save nuclear treaty with US
Russia introduced the Novator 9M729 missile to foreign media and military officials, asserting that it does not violate the INF.
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Novator 9M729 missiles on display at a military park outside Moscow on January 23. Photo:AFP |
Washington has threatened to withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, alleging that Russia's new missile, the Novator 9M729, violates it. The INF bans both sides from developing all types of ground-launched cruise missiles with a range of 500-5,500 km, with the US claiming the 9M729 has a range of more than 5,000 km.
At today's press conference, Russia detailed the missile's characteristics. 21 foreign military officials also attended the event, but there were no representatives from NATO countries, according toAFP.
Mikhail Matveevsky, head of Russia's missile and artillery forces, said the missile's range was 480 km, which does not violate the 500-5,500 km limit of the INF. "Russia has and will continue to strictly adhere to the treaty's provisions," he said.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow decided to unveil the missile after talks with US officials in Geneva this month "completely failed".
Last month, the US gave Russia 60 days – the deadline is February 2 – to dismantle the 9M729 or the US will begin the six-month process of withdrawing from the treaty. The tensions between Russia and the US have worried many of Washington's allies, who believe that the US withdrawal from the INF will start a new arms race and put Europe in the crosshairs of many types of nuclear missiles.