Why in News?
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a one-year extension of the New START nuclear arms treaty with the U.S., set to expire on February 5, 2026, stressing global non-proliferation, while linking it to Washington’s reciprocal adherence and broader security tensions.
Description:
- Full Name: New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
- Parties: USA & Russia.
- Signed: 8 April 2010, Prague.
- Came into force: 5 February 2011.
- Extension: Extended for 5 years in Feb 2021 (till Feb 2026).
- Replaced: START I (1991, expired in 2009) and SORT (2002, terminated once New START entered force).
Objectives & Provisions:
- Limit deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 each.
- Limit deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers to 700 each.
- Limit total launchers (deployed + non-deployed) to 800.
- Provides verification regime → data exchanges, notifications, inspections.
- Seeks to maintain stability while reducing Cold War–era arsenals.
Timeline:
- 2010 → Signed (Obama & Medvedev).
- 2011 → Entered into force.
- 2018 → Both countries announced they met treaty limits (by Feb 5, 2018).
- 2021 → Extended for 5 years (till Feb 2026).
- Current status (2025): Last surviving nuclear arms control treaty between US & Russia.
Importance:
- First verifiable U.S.–Russian nuclear arms control treaty since START I (1994).
- Promotes strategic stability & predictability.
- Considered a pillar of global nuclear arms control architecture.
- Its expiry in 2026 without replacement could mean no arms control regime between world’s two largest nuclear powers.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
