US To Discuss With Russia If Latest Strategic Weapons Comply With New START Treaty - NDAA

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th August, 2018) The United States will discuss with Russia if the latters new strategic weapon systems are in compliance with the New Strategic Arms Reduction (START) Treaty, according to the $716-billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2019 that President Donald Trump signed on Monday.

"Not later than December 31, 2018, the President shall� submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report as to whether� the President has raised the issue of covered Russian systems in the appropriate fora with the Russian Federation under Article V of the New START Treaty or otherwise," the legislation said.

The NDAA notes that the Russian systems of concern include the heavy intercontinental missile system Sarmat, the air-launched nuclear-powered cruise missile X-101, the unmanned underwater vehicle the US government calls "Status 6," and the long-distance guided flight hypersonic glide vehicle Avangard.

Trump must report if Russia will agree to declare the covered systems as strategic offensive arms or otherwise pursuant to the New START Treaty, the legislation said.

The White House will notify the appropriate congressional committees as to whether the position of Russia threatens the viability of the New START Treaty or requires appropriate US political, economic or military responses, the legislation also said.

In addition, the White House is required to submit to the congressional defense committees a report assessing the extent to which the nuclear modernization and infrastructure recapitalization programs of the Pentagon and the National Nuclear Security Administration have met the requirements described in the resolution of ratification to accompany the New START Treaty, the legislation added.

Both the United States and Russia agreed in the 2011 New START Treaty to arms reduction objectives, including reducing the number of deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, nuclear armed bombers and nuclear warheads.