STARTavtaler

STARTavtaler refers to a series of strategic arms reduction treaties between the United States and the Soviet Union, and later the Russian Federation. These agreements aimed to limit and reduce the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers. The first START treaty, officially known as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, was signed in 1991 and entered into force in 1994. It was the most comprehensive arms control treaty ever negotiated, mandating significant reductions in the nuclear arsenals of both superpowers.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States and Russia continued negotiations on strategic arms control. The SORT treaty, or the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, was signed in 2002 and replaced START. It called for further reductions in deployed strategic nuclear warheads. The most recent agreement, New START, was signed in 2010 and entered into force in 2011. It extended limits on deployed strategic nuclear warheads and deployed strategic delivery vehicles for a period of ten years, with the possibility of extension. These treaties have played a crucial role in managing the nuclear balance and reducing the risk of nuclear conflict.