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6 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu
4 min
International RelationsPolity & GovernanceNEWS

New START Treaty Expires, Ushering in Era of Nuclear Rivalry

New START treaty expires, ending limits on U.S. and Russia's nuclear arsenals.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) expired on February 5, marking the end of the last remaining bilateral agreement constraining the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia. The treaty set verifiable limits on strategic offensive arms, capping deployed warheads to 1,550.

Russia often argued that U.S. missile defense systems undermined the strategic balance. In February 2023, Russia suspended its participation in New START.

Today, there are no legally binding limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons the U.S. and Russia can deploy. The expiry also makes including China in a nonproliferation regime harder.

Key Facts

1.

The New START treaty officially expired on February 5.

2.

The treaty set verifiable limits on the strategic offensive arms of the U.S. and Russia.

3.

It capped the number of deployed warheads to 1,550.

4.

Russia suspended its participation in New START in February 2023.

5.

There are currently no legally binding limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons the U.S. and Russia can deploy.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper II: International Relations - Bilateral agreements, effect of policies of developed countries on India's interests

2.

Connects to UPSC syllabus on disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation

3.

Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on the implications of the treaty's expiration

Visual Insights

New START Treaty: A Timeline

Key events in the history of the New START Treaty, leading to its expiration in February 2026.

The New START Treaty was the last remaining major arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, limiting strategic nuclear warheads. Its expiration raises concerns about a renewed nuclear arms race.

  • 2010New START Treaty signed by the U.S. and Russia.
  • 2011New START Treaty comes into force.
  • February 2023Russia suspends its participation in New START.
  • February 5, 2026New START Treaty expires.
More Information

Background

The history of arms control between the United States and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) is long and complex. It began during the Cold War with the aim of limiting the risk of nuclear war. Key agreements like the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) I and II in the 1970s sought to put a ceiling on the number of nuclear weapons. These agreements were crucial in establishing a framework for dialogue and cooperation, even amidst intense geopolitical rivalry. Following the end of the Cold War, the focus shifted towards reducing the size of nuclear arsenals. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) I, signed in 1991, was a landmark achievement, leading to significant reductions in deployed strategic nuclear weapons. Subsequent agreements, including the Moscow Treaty (SORT) in 2002, further built upon this progress. These treaties often involved complex negotiations and verification mechanisms to ensure compliance. The New START Treaty, which recently expired, was the last remaining bilateral agreement limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals. It built upon the legacy of previous arms control agreements, setting verifiable limits on strategic offensive arms. The treaty's expiration raises concerns about a potential new arms race and the erosion of the international arms control architecture. The absence of legally binding limits could lead to increased instability and mistrust between the two countries. Arms control treaties are often linked to broader geopolitical considerations and security concerns. For example, Russia's concerns about U.S. missile defense systems have been a recurring theme in arms control negotiations. The inclusion of other nuclear powers, such as China, in future arms control agreements is also a growing challenge.

Latest Developments

The suspension of Russia's participation in the New START Treaty in February 2023 signaled a significant setback for arms control efforts. This decision followed a period of increasing tensions between Russia and the United States, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Russia cited concerns about U.S. compliance with the treaty and the impact of Western sanctions as reasons for its suspension. The expiration of the New START Treaty has led to renewed calls for dialogue and negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. However, the current geopolitical climate makes it difficult to envision a quick resumption of arms control talks. The lack of trust and the deep divisions between the two countries pose significant obstacles to progress. Looking ahead, the future of arms control will likely depend on several factors, including the evolution of the security environment, the willingness of the U.S. and Russia to engage in dialogue, and the role of other nuclear powers. The potential development of new weapons technologies, such as hypersonic missiles, also adds complexity to the arms control landscape. The inclusion of China in future arms control discussions is seen by some as essential for ensuring the long-term stability of the international arms control regime. The absence of legally binding limits on nuclear arsenals raises concerns about a potential new arms race and the risk of miscalculation or accidental escalation. International organizations and civil society groups are advocating for renewed efforts to promote arms control and reduce the threat of nuclear war.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the main objective of the New START Treaty?

The New START Treaty aimed to limit the strategic offensive arms of the U.S. and Russia by setting verifiable limits, including a cap of 1,550 deployed warheads.

2. When did the New START Treaty expire, and what is the significance of this date?

The New START Treaty expired on February 5, 2026. This marks the end of legally binding limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons the U.S. and Russia can deploy, for the first time since 1972.

Exam Tip

Remember the expiry date and the historical context of no limits since 1972.

3. Why did Russia suspend its participation in the New START Treaty in February 2023?

Russia suspended its participation in New START in February 2023 due to concerns about U.S. compliance with the treaty and the impact of Western sanctions.

4. What are the potential implications of the New START Treaty's expiration on global nuclear non-proliferation efforts?

The expiry of the New START Treaty makes it harder to include China in a nonproliferation regime, as there are now no legally binding limits on the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia.

5. How many on-site inspections were allowed per year under the New START Treaty?

The New START Treaty allowed for 18 on-site inspections per year to verify compliance.

Exam Tip

Remember the number of inspections allowed for Prelims.

6. What is the historical background to arms control treaties between the U.S. and Russia?

The history of arms control between the United States and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) began during the Cold War with the aim of limiting the risk of nuclear war. Key agreements like the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) I and II in the 1970s sought to put a ceiling on the number of nuclear weapons.

7. What are the key facts to remember about the New START treaty for the UPSC Prelims exam?

For UPSC Prelims, remember that the New START treaty expired on February 5, 2026. It set verifiable limits on strategic offensive arms, capping deployed warheads to 1,550. Russia suspended its participation in February 2023.

8. In your opinion, what impact does the expiry of the New START treaty have on global security?

The expiry of the New START treaty could lead to an increased risk of nuclear proliferation and a renewed arms race between the U.S. and Russia. Without verifiable limits, the potential for miscalculation and escalation increases, posing a threat to global security.

9. Why is the New START treaty in the news recently?

The New START treaty is in the news because it officially expired on February 5, 2026, marking the end of the last remaining bilateral agreement limiting the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia.

10. What were the verifiable limits set by the New START treaty?

The New START treaty set verifiable limits on strategic offensive arms, capping deployed warheads to 1,550.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the New START Treaty: 1. It was the last remaining bilateral agreement limiting the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia. 2. The treaty capped deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550 for each country. 3. China was a party to the New START Treaty. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The New START Treaty was indeed the last remaining bilateral agreement limiting the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia after its expiration on February 5. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The treaty set verifiable limits on strategic offensive arms, capping deployed warheads to 1,550 for each country. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: China was not a party to the New START Treaty. The treaty was a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Russia only.

2. Which of the following countries was NOT a signatory to the New START Treaty?

  • A.United States of America
  • B.Russian Federation
  • C.China
  • D.All of the above were signatories
Show Answer

Answer: C

The New START Treaty was a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation. China was not a party to the treaty. The treaty's expiry also makes including China in a nonproliferation regime harder.

3. Assertion (A): The expiration of the New START Treaty could lead to a renewed nuclear arms race between the U.S. and Russia. Reason (R): With the treaty's expiration, there are no legally binding limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons the U.S. and Russia can deploy. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
  • B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
  • C.A is true but R is false
  • D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The absence of legally binding limits on nuclear weapons deployment, due to the treaty's expiration, increases the risk of a renewed arms race.

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