The new Russia-U.S. strategic arms reduction treaty stipulates that the two states reduce their nuclear arsenals to the agreed levels in seven years, the chief of the Russian General Staff said on Friday.
"The main result of negotiations is a cut of more than 30% in Russian and U.S. strategic offensive weapons. The treaty will have a validity term of ten years, and the established parameters are to be reached within seven years," Gen. Nikolai Makarov said.
Under the treaty, the number of nuclear warheads is to be reduced to 1,550 on each side. The number of delivery vehicles - deployed and non-deployed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers, submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear weapons - must not exceed 800 on each side.
The treaty also stipulates that strategic offensive weapons are to be based solely on the national territories of Russia and the United States.
"The agreements lift mutual concerns and meet Russia's interests in full," Makarov said.
The deal is to be signed by the presidents of Russia and the U.S. on April 8 in Prague.
The signed deal has to be ratified by the parliaments of the two states in order to come into effect.
MOSCOW, March 26 (RIA Novosti)
