US withdrawal from INF upsets China
Since the 1988 signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) between the Soviet Union and US, the Cold War agreement abolished all nuclear and conventional missiles both for short-range (500–1,000km) and intermediate-range (1,000–5,500 km) missiles. The treaty did not apply to sea-launched missiles.
The only problem with the treaty was that China was still a military backward nation in 1988 with limited conventional-strike ballistic missile capabilities. Moscow began to complain about the problem in the 1990s when China began fielding the road-mobile DF-11/15 short-range ballistic missile armed with conventional warheads.
Though most were aimed at Taiwan, the Russians saw this
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK releases security strategy and plans for future defence spending boost]()
UK releases security strategy and plans for future defence spending boost
The UK’s National Security Strategy brings together the recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Strategic Security Review, AUKUS Review and Industrial and Trade Strategies. At the same time, the UK made a commitment to reach defence spending of 5% of GDP by 2035 and Germany committed to 3.5% by 2029.
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
