The ground-based ballistic missile, which the US successfully tested on Thursday at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, was developed in less than nine months, the head of the Pentagon, Mark Esper tweeted. 

"Today, @usairforce @30thSpaceWing & @DoDCTO Strategic Capabilities Office successfully tested a prototype conventional, ground-launched ballistic missile. Congrats to the joint gov’t-industry team for going from concept to launch in less than 9 months!" Esper tweeted. "The test team began work after the U.S. suspended its INF obligations in February 2019. It usually takes 24 months to plan and execute such a test. This achievement demonstrates America’s ability to respond to critical national security challenges."

Fraud of the INF Treaty

The US suspended the fulfillment of its obligations under the INF Treaty on February 2 based on an alleged violation of the treaty by Russia. Washington accused Moscow in July 2014 of non-compliance with the INF Treaty. According to the US administration, the violation of the treaty was the creation by Russia of the 9M729 missile. Moscow rejected such conclusions of Washington and presented a series of counterclaims regarding the fulfillment by the American side of the treaty, which affected, inter alia, elements of the US missile defense system in Europe.

The INF Treaty was concluded by Moscow and Washington in 1987. Thanks to him, the parties destroyed 2692 rockets of two classes at once.

The US warned in February that they would withdraw from it in six months if Russia does not fulfill their specific requirements, including, above all, the destruction of the 9M729 missile. Moscow regarded Washington’s actions as putting forward deliberately unacceptable ultimatums. The United States withdrew from the INF Treaty on August 2.