US Launches Nuclear-Capable Missile in Arms Race With Russia and China
The United States has conducted its second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test of the year, launching an unarmed but nuclear-capable missile from California toward the Pacific.
"This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable, and effective in deterring 21st century threats and reassuring our allies," said the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command.
Newsweek has emailed both the Russian and Chinese defense ministries for comment.
According to the Federation of American Scientists, the U.S. deploys 400 Minuteman III ICBMs-each carrying a single warhead-in silos located in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming. The missile has an officially stated range of over 6,000 miles.
The ICBM fleet is one of the three components of America's nuclear triad, alongside ballistic missile submarines and nuclear-capable bombers. Data from the National Nuclear Security Administration shows that, as of 2023, the U.S. possesses 3,748 nuclear warheads.
The Minuteman III test launch follows Russia's reported cancellation of an RS-24 Yars ICBM "combat training" launch. China conducted a rare ICBM test last September, launching a DF-31AG missile toward the Pacific Ocean.
The Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command said.
The missile was equipped with an unarmed Mark-21 reentry vehicle, which flew about 4,200 miles to a U.S. Army ballistic missile defense test site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, located in the Central Pacific Ocean.
The test was not a response to current world events, the Louisiana-headquartered command stated, adding that the U.S. military has conducted more than 300 similar tests in the past as part of the country's "ongoing commitment" to maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent.
The command also confirmed to Newsweek that, in accordance with standard procedures, Washington notified Moscow of the test in advance "per our existing bilateral obligations," and transmitted a pre-launch notification pursuant to the Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC).
In 2000, the U.S. and Russia signed a memorandum aimed at reducing the risk of escalation triggered by a false ballistic missile attack warning. Member states of the HCoC are required to voluntarily provide notifications of ballistic missile and space-related launches.
Both the U.S. and Russia are among the 145 countries that have subscribed to the HCoC. While China provided advance notification of its ICBM test to the U.S., it remains reluctant to join the HCoC-an action it fears could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information.
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command said: "The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational capability of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States' ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent as a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners."
General Thomas Bussiere, commander of the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, said: "This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad…This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated Airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators and the teams who supports them – who ensure the security of the nation and its allies."
It remains uncertain whether Russia and China will conduct ICBM tests this year. The U.S. plans to modernize its ICBM fleet by replacing the Minuteman III with the Sentinel.
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