US 'Refuses to Discuss' MK-41 VLS Deployment to Europe

© Flickr / U.S. Department of DefenseThe guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk cruise missile
The guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk cruise missile - Sputnik International
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The United States is essentially refusing to discuss the deployment of the MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems to Poland and Romania, the Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms control at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mikhail Ulyanov told RIA Novosti.

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This matter is part of a broad range of issues relating to the compliance to and violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by the Soviet Union and the United States in 1987. 

Washington has accused Moscow of violating the bilateral agreement, which bans the development and deployment of nuclear and conventional ground-launched intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has repeatedly dismissed these unfounded allegations and voiced complaints of its own regarding Washington's compliance with the treaty. For instance, the MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems are capable of firing intermediate-range cruise missiles.

Deployment of the land-based variation of the shipborne missile canister launching system could thus be considered a direct violation of the INF treaty.

© AFP 2023 / KIM JAE-HWANMk-41 Vertical Launch System
Mk-41 Vertical Launch System - Sputnik International
Mk-41 Vertical Launch System

Washington's other violations of the bilateral agreement are "well documented," Ulyanov noted.

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They Deployment of MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems, which are virtually identical to the ones used to fire Tomahawk subsonic cruise missiles, is by far the only area of concern to Moscow.

Other issues include include testing of ballistic target missiles, which resemble short- and intermediate- range missiles, as well as production and extensive use of combat UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), which are functionally and de jure land-based medium-range cruise missiles, Ulyanov explained.

Moscow is bringing up these issues on a regular basis during talks with the US but "our partners are essentially refusing to discuss them," Ulyanov stated.

"The United States does not consider these activities a violation, period. So far the US has not provided any explanations, in particular with regard to the launching systems," the diplomat added.

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