DISINFO: The US is deploying launch systems that are prohibited by the INF Treaty
SUMMARY
In military sites in Romania and Poland, the US is deploying launch systems that are capable of launching cruise missiles such as the Tomahawk, which is prohibited by the INF Treaty.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the US is responsible for the demise of the INF Treaty because of its noncompliance with the Treaty in several areas. The US government has issued detailed refutations of Russian accusations of US non-compliance with the INF Treaty. As has been explained in detail by the US government, the MK-41 launcher used at the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence system deployed in Romania [to be deployed also in Poland] is only capable of launching defensive interceptor missiles. The Aegis Ashore system lacks the software, fire control hardware, support equipment, and other infrastructure needed to launch offensive ballistic or cruise missiles such as the Tomahawk. The Aegis Ashore system has never been tested for, nor is it capable of, launching a Tomahawk cruise missile, and therefore complies with the INF Treaty. In December 2017, NATO affirmed that the US was in full compliance with the INF Treaty and that Russia possessed a new missile system [subsequently identified as the 9M729 cruise missile] that aroused “serious concerns”.