During the Cold War era, the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, engaged in a tense arms race. To ease tensions and prevent an all-out nuclear war, the two nations signed several arms control agreements. In this article, we will highlight two of the most significant arms control agreements signed by the two superpowers.
1. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) were a series of negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union that took place from 1969 to 1979. The talks aimed to limit the number of nuclear weapons possessed by both countries. The two main agreements signed during the talks were the SALT I and SALT II treaties.
The SALT I treaty was signed in 1972 and was the first arms control agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union. It aimed to limit the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and nuclear warheads possessed by both countries. Under the treaty, the number of ICBMs and SLBMs was limited to 1,618 for each country, with a maximum of 2,400 warheads per country.
The SALT II treaty was signed in 1979 but was never fully implemented due to a deterioration in U.S.-Soviet relations. The treaty aimed to further reduce the number of ICBMs and SLBMs possessed by both countries. Under the treaty, the two superpowers agreed to limit the number of strategic nuclear weapons to 2,250 for each side.
2. Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) was a treaty signed in 1987 between the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty aimed to eliminate all intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles possessed by both countries. The treaty was signed in response to a buildup of Soviet nuclear missiles in Europe, which posed a direct threat to NATO countries.
Under the INF treaty, both countries agreed to eliminate all land-based missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The treaty was successful in reducing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union and played a crucial role in ending the Cold War. The treaty remained in force until 2019 when the United States withdrew from the agreement, citing violations by Russia.
Conclusion
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) were two significant arms control agreements signed by the two superpowers during the Cold War era. These agreements helped to reduce tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union and prevented an all-out nuclear war. While the INF treaty is no longer in force, the legacy of these agreements remains relevant today in the ongoing efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.