What is the INF nuclear treaty?

24/10/2018

As the US is poised to pull out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, DW takes a closer look at the nuclear arms control agreement and its significance.

22.10.2018

The “Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the elimination of their Intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles,” also known as “the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty,” or “INF Treaty” sought to destroy both countries’ ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (300 to 3,400 miles), their launchers and associated support structures and support equipment.

It led to the destruction of almost 2,700 missiles and their launchers by the June 1, 1991 deadline stipulated in the treaty.

The INF treaty was the first US-Soviet agreement aimed at reducing the superpowers’ nuclear arsenal and allow on-site inspections to verify the destruction of the missiles. It remained in force after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991