The Department of Defense plans to test ground-based cruise missiles in August as the U.S. moves to renounce its commitment to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty of 1987, Reuters reported Thursday. The potential withdrawal would occur if Russia does not cease from committing what the U.S. considers violations to the treaty.
The ground-launched cruise missile could enter service in 18 months, depending on the test results. Production of the cruise missile’s components is set to begin. A senior U.S. official said an intermediate-range ballistic missile test would follow in November. The tests would not be nuclear.
The treaty mandates that the U.S. and Russia end their use of land-based, medium-range missiles.
