United States Test Fires Nuclear Capable Missile

The United States test fired a medium-range ballistic missile recently. It is the second test of an offensive missile in the last four months by the United States, which would have been banned due to the US-Russia arms treaty, from which Washington has already exited in August.

The missile was launched from the northwest of Los Angeles from Vandenberg Air Force Base, at about 8:30 am local time (1630 GMT) on Thursday. The prototype missile, which was ground-launched, flew for more than 500 kilometers (300 miles) before dropping into the Pacific Ocean, according to the statement from Pentagon.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Carver, Pentagon Spokesperson said, “Data collected and lessons learned from this test will inform the Department of Defense’s development of future intermediate-range capabilities”. 

Since Washington has come out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Moscow, Thursday’s test of medium-range nuclear-capable missile was the second missile that was ground-launched. Otherwise, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty would have forbidden the testing of the missile, as well as a cruise missile, that was tested by the US in the month of August.

On October 2, the US Air Force had launched an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg, which has the capability of delivering a test reentry vehicle to the Kwajalein, which is 4,200 miles away in the western Pacific.

The latest tests are also going to be a signal for North Korea, which has recently demonstrated its own cross-Pacific nuclear threat with numerous short, medium and long-range ballistic missile tests. All the tests were successful.

Recently rejecting UN implemented sanctions, Pyongyang has hinted that it is going to undertake another test as a “Christmas gift” if the United States does not come up with the concessions in bilateral relations by the end of the present year.

In reply, this week, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft has warned Pyongyang of the consequences if it follows its own will and conducts any major weapons test in the New Year, rejecting the US offer for talks.

Kelly Craft referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said, “Missile and nuclear testing will not bring the DPRK greater security. We trust that the DPRK will turn away from further hostility and threats, and instead make a bold decision to engage with us”