9M729 Secret Rocket: a stumbling block between Russia and the USA
In June of this year, 30 years have passed since the signing of the Treaty between the USSR and the USA on intermediate and shorter-range missiles (INF). In 1988, it was signed by Reagan and Gorbachev. Although the Soviet Union has not existed for a long time, this agreement continues to work. True, in recent years there are more and more prerequisites for his denunciation.
How was the contract concluded?
According to the Soviet-American agreement, the parties agreed on the complete elimination of launchers and missiles having a range of 500 to 5500 kilometers. The missiles needed to be eliminated over the next three years. The parties complied with the terms of the contract, and in 1991 Soviet and American missiles and launchers were destroyed.
On the Soviet side, 1846 missiles, 825 launchers and 812 warhead units were eliminated. The Americans, respectively, destroyed 846 missiles, 289 launchers and 442 corps.
Even without good mathematical ability, it is easy to see that the Soviet Union destroyed much more weapons than the United States.
After the collapse of the USSR, Russia reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement. Although this agreement has an unlimited duration, there is reason to believe that it may soon cease to exist.
Prospects for the INF Treaty
The round table was convened at the initiative of Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the committee on international affairs of the Federation Council, devoted to the topic of preserving the treaty.
Today, Russia and the United States accuse each other of violating the INF Treaty. On the US side, the accusations are rather vague. In particular, they claimed the development and testing by the Russians of a ground-based cruise missile with a destruction range of over 500 kilometers. Moreover, the Americans claim that such missiles are already being manufactured and deployed.
This is a 9M729 missile. It really exists, but its range is much less than 500 kilometers. Although the true characteristics and capabilities of the rocket are classified and known only to a narrow circle of the Russian leadership.
As for the Russian claims, they are much more significant. In Poland and Romania there is an active deployment of missile defense systems. The United States withdrew from the treaty on the limitations of this type of arms for a long time. Russia protests against the deployment of missile defense systems at its borders. If you look at the problem superficially, then this indignation is difficult to understand. Indeed, missile defense is an exclusively defensive program.
But anti-missile launchers are quite applicable for medium-range missiles, and this is already a direct threat to Russia's security.
Moreover, the US Congress passed amendments allowing the US to withdraw from the INF Treaty.
According to the famous political scientist Yevgeny Primakov, the Russian military doctrine should adhere to the principle of "preserving peace from a position of strength." In other words, we must be prepared to repel any aggression. And this our readiness will become a significant deterrent contributing to the preservation of peace.
The position of European countries is also interesting. Indeed, in the event of the full resumption of the INF program, the situation will be sensitive. The European part of Russia will be under the gun of American missiles, and Russian SMD missiles will be aimed not at the USA, but at European countries.
Thus, US-European military cooperation does not protect Europe from the mythical Russian “military threat”, but jeopardizes it.
It is high time for European leaders to think about ending the warlike rhetoric and expanding cooperation with Russia in all areas, possibly including the military.
How was the contract concluded?
According to the Soviet-American agreement, the parties agreed on the complete elimination of launchers and missiles having a range of 500 to 5500 kilometers. The missiles needed to be eliminated over the next three years. The parties complied with the terms of the contract, and in 1991 Soviet and American missiles and launchers were destroyed.
On the Soviet side, 1846 missiles, 825 launchers and 812 warhead units were eliminated. The Americans, respectively, destroyed 846 missiles, 289 launchers and 442 corps.
Even without good mathematical ability, it is easy to see that the Soviet Union destroyed much more weapons than the United States.
After the collapse of the USSR, Russia reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement. Although this agreement has an unlimited duration, there is reason to believe that it may soon cease to exist.
Prospects for the INF Treaty
The round table was convened at the initiative of Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the committee on international affairs of the Federation Council, devoted to the topic of preserving the treaty.
Today, Russia and the United States accuse each other of violating the INF Treaty. On the US side, the accusations are rather vague. In particular, they claimed the development and testing by the Russians of a ground-based cruise missile with a destruction range of over 500 kilometers. Moreover, the Americans claim that such missiles are already being manufactured and deployed.
This is a 9M729 missile. It really exists, but its range is much less than 500 kilometers. Although the true characteristics and capabilities of the rocket are classified and known only to a narrow circle of the Russian leadership.
As for the Russian claims, they are much more significant. In Poland and Romania there is an active deployment of missile defense systems. The United States withdrew from the treaty on the limitations of this type of arms for a long time. Russia protests against the deployment of missile defense systems at its borders. If you look at the problem superficially, then this indignation is difficult to understand. Indeed, missile defense is an exclusively defensive program.
But anti-missile launchers are quite applicable for medium-range missiles, and this is already a direct threat to Russia's security.
Moreover, the US Congress passed amendments allowing the US to withdraw from the INF Treaty.
According to the famous political scientist Yevgeny Primakov, the Russian military doctrine should adhere to the principle of "preserving peace from a position of strength." In other words, we must be prepared to repel any aggression. And this our readiness will become a significant deterrent contributing to the preservation of peace.
The position of European countries is also interesting. Indeed, in the event of the full resumption of the INF program, the situation will be sensitive. The European part of Russia will be under the gun of American missiles, and Russian SMD missiles will be aimed not at the USA, but at European countries.
Thus, US-European military cooperation does not protect Europe from the mythical Russian “military threat”, but jeopardizes it.
It is high time for European leaders to think about ending the warlike rhetoric and expanding cooperation with Russia in all areas, possibly including the military.
Information