Withdrawing from the INF nuclear treaty, the US begins developing banned missiles
The Pentagon is starting to develop a new missile, according to CNN. The US Department of Defense took this step after the White House decided to suspend its participation in the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, accusing Russia of violating the agreement.
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| The US is developing many missile weapons. Illustration photo |
Lt. Col. Michelle Baldanza, a spokeswoman for the US Department of Defense, told CNN that the Department of Defense has begun "production of components leading up to final testing" of the land-based non-nuclear missile.
Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Baldanza also added that this operation would not comply with Washington's obligations under the INF Treaty, if the US remained in the agreement.
"This research and development, as planned, is reversible in the event that Russia returns to full and verifiable compliance with the Treaty before we formally withdraw from it in August 2019," the Pentagon spokesman noted.
The Pentagon began developing a new missile concept in 2017 in response to Russia's missile activities, and this work by Washington, as CNN reports, complies with the conditions of the INF.