Department of Defense Non-Proliferation Programs

By: Molly Pickett

March 15, 2004

Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program

Strategic Offensive Arms Elimination- Russia

Program Description
This program dismantles and destroys Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), ICBM silos and launchers, ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles and launchers, and heavy bombers.

Program Accomplishments
Please visit the Nunn-Lugar Scorecard

Nuclear Weapons Storage Security - Russia

Program Description
Nuclear Weapons Storage Security projects include:

  • Physical security enhancements for nuclear weapons storage sites;
  • The Automated Inventory Control and Management System (AICMS), designed to enhance Russia's ability to track strategic and tactical nuclear weapons scheduled for dismantlement;
  • The Personnel Reliability Program, designed to boost the reliability of Russian individuals who have access to nuclear weapons.

Program Accomplishments

  • Provided 123 "Quick Fix" security fencing and sensor systems to warhead storage facilities in Russia. 33 sets have been installed.
  • Constructed a Security Assessment and Training Center to test security upgrades. Testing has been completed on all of the security equipment supplied to Russia.
  • Completed certification of AICMS hardware and software.

Weapons Transportation Security- Russia

Program Description
The Weapons Transportation Security Program provides high-security railcars and trucks for transporting retired nuclear weapons to dismantlement facilities, and provides emergency response equipment and training for Russian security personnel.

Program Accomplishments

  • 150 rail shipments completed by end of December 2002.
  • 134 rail shipments had transported between 2,500-4,000 warheads to consolidation or dismantlement sites in Russia by November 2002.
  • 150 supercontainers purchased and delivered to Russia.
  • 115 modification kits installed on railcars and guard cars, and 5 mobile emergency response modules delivered.
  • Established an Information Analysis System (IAS) and Training Center in St. Petersburg in 1998 to manage and support emergency response activities to nuclear weapons accidents.
  • Installed and upgraded hardware and software systems that support IAS.

Strategic Nuclear Arms Elimination- Ukraine

Program Description
 Provides U.S. assistance to Ukraine for the elimination of former Soviet strategic bombers, air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs), air-to-surface missiles, and missile fuel and production facilities.

Program Accomplishments

  • Completed elimination of 27 Tu-95 "Bear" bombers, 11 Tu-160 "Blackjack" bombers, and 483 Kh-55 "Kent" ALCMs in May 2001.
  • Initiated project to eliminate Tu-22M and Kh-22 ASMs in June 2001.
  • Initial 8 Tu-22Ms eliminated by April 2002.
  • Awarded contract for elimination and disposal of remaining 31 Tu-22M Backfire bombers and 225 Kh-22 ASM in July 2002.

WMD Proliferation Prevention

Program Description
The WMD Proliferation Prevention program was initiated in FY2003 to work to enhance the
capabilities of military, security, border guards, and customs agents in non-Russian former Soviet
Republics to prevent, deter, detect, and interdict illegal trafficking of WMD and related materials,
and to respond effectively to incidents at the border.

Biological Weapons Proliferation Prevention

Program Description
This program works to enhance the safety and security of dangerous biological agents at former Soviet biological weapons facilities, dismantle biological weapons production infrastructure, and support joint research with former Soviet bio-weapons experts.

Program Accomplishments
Dismantlement
 Working to eliminate bioweapon production infrastructure at the Joint Stock Company facility in Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan. Two buildings have already been dismantled.

Security Enhancements
In cooperation with the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), six project agreements (2 Bio-Security, 2 Bio-Safety, and 2 Animal Vivaria Upgrades) have been approved and are underway.

Collaborative Research
13 project agreements have been signed and are underway; 11 more are in various stages of development.

Chemical Weapons Destruction- Russia

Program Description
This program's main project is to help build a chemical weapons destruction facility in the Russian town of Shchuch'ye to eliminate nearly 2 million artillery shells and missile warheads filled with 5,400 tonnes of lethal nerve agents. The program also helps eliminate former Soviet chemical weapons production infrastructure.

Concerned that Russia has not fully disclosed all information relevant to its chemical weapons program, Congress has withheld funding for construction of the Shchuch'ye facility. The prohibition was relaxed in FY 2002 by adding a set of legislative conditions that, if fulfilled, would allow Shchuch'ye construction to proceed. The FY 2003 and FY 2004 Defense Appropriations Bills allowed President Bush to waive the conditions. The President exercised this waiver authority in January 2003. Yet, the FY 2005 request for the Shchuch’ye budget is reduced by nearly $35 million.

Program Accomplishments

  • Completed design and site preparation for the Shchuch'ye chemical weapons destruction
    facility;
  • 15 buildings demilitarized or destroyed at the former chemical weapons production facility at
    Volgograd;
  • Munitions preparation building demilitarized at Novocheboksarsk;
  • Complete demilitarization at Volgograd scheduled for 2004 and at Novocheboksarsk for 2006.

Defense and Military Contacts

Program Description
The overall objectives of this program are to encourage Russian denuclearization and nonproliferation, enhance stability through regular military exchanges, assist Russia and the former Soviet republics in restructuring and downsizing their militaries, and to facilitate democratic
reforms. Types of exchanges include joint search and rescue exercises, disaster relief exercises, and joint staff talks.

Program Accomplishments
The United States and the countries of the Former Soviet Union hold around 200 events each year to promote understanding between militaries and civil-military relations.