The US recently announced that it will begin the process of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on 2 February citing a lack of “Russian compliance”. Specifically, the American side has demanded Moscow destroy all ground-launched SSC-8 cruise missiles (Russian designation 9M729), claiming that they violate the treaty.
The Russian Defence Ministry has shown the 9M729 (NATO reporting name SSC-8) cruise missile, which the US has said is the reason for their withdrawal from the INF Treaty, to foreign military attaches for the first time. However, representatives of the US, UK, France, Germany, the EU and NATO didn't attend the ministry's briefing on the missile.
Russia Suspects US Tests Short-, Medium-Range Missile Tech Under Guise of Drills
During the missile presentation, the ministry also revealed its specifications, which have caused such great concern in the US, because Washington claims that Moscow tested the 9M729 in ranges that violate the treaty. The missile has a minimum firing range of 50 km, the same as its predecessor 9М728, and maximum range of 480 km that is 10 km shorter than the 9М728's range, which doesn't violate the INF Treaty.
“The distance was confirmed during strategic command and staff exercises [in 2017]”, Russian artillery chief Mikhail Matveevsky said.
Matveevsky also added that the missile's engine, fuel tank, and booster remain unchanged, while its warhead and guidance system has been upgraded….
