It’s Our Choice

The US freely made the decision to reduce the number of warheads on its ICBMs down to one and is not compelled to do so under the terms of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia, Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, US Strategic Command boss, told the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday. Accordingly, the Russian are not required “to deMIRV” their missiles under the terms of the agreement, he said. “We elect to do that and I think it is the right thing to do,” since it will allow the US “to better utilize” the nuclear warheads that it is allowed under the treaty, he said. (Both sides are allowed up to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads.) He added, “We still will retain the capability to re-MIRV should that be required” in case of some geopolitical development or technological issue with another nuclear delivery vehicle. (Chilton’s prepared remarks)