Inactive Strategic Treaties

Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty

  • Home
  • ABM Treaty
  • 1997 Common Understandings Related to Second Agreed Statement

ABM Treaty: 1997 Common Understandings Related to Second Agreed Statement

COMMON UNDERSTANDINGS RELATED TO THE SECOND AGREED STATEMENT OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1997, RELATING TO THE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS ON THE LIMITATION OF ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE SYSTEMS OF MAY 26, 1972

The term "interceptor missile," as used in the Second Agreed Statement of September 26, 1997, shall refer to any missile subject to the provisions of paragraph (a) of Article VI of the Treaty if such a missile:

a) has been developed by a Party as a missile to counter ballistic missiles other than strategic ballistic missiles; or

b) has been declared by a Party as a missile to counter ballistic missiles other than strategic ballistic missiles; or

c) has been tested by a Party even once with the use of a ballistic target-missile. With respect to subparagraphs (a), (b), or ( c), such a missile shall be considered an interceptor missile in all its launches.

II. The Parties have agreed that, for the purposes of the Second Agreed Statement of September 26, 1997, the velocity of an interceptor missile as well as the velocity of a ballistic target-missile shall be determined in an earth-centered coordinate system fixed in relation to the Earth. 

III. The Parties have agreed that, for the purposes of the Second Agreed Statement of September 26, 1997, the velocity of space-based interceptor missiles shall be considered to exceed 3 km/sec.

IV. For systems to counter ballistic missiles other than strategic ballistic missiles with interceptor missiles whose velocity exceeds 3 km/sec over any part of their flight trajectory, that become subject the Confidence-Building Measures Agreement in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Second Agreed Statement of September 26, 1997, the Parties understand that, in connection with the provisions of paragraph 2 (b) of Section IV of the Confidence-Building Measures Agreement, detailed information on such systems shall be provided in a form and scope as agreed upon by the Parties.

These Common Understandings shall be considered an attachment to the Second Agreed Statement of September 26, 1997, and shall constitute an integral part thereof.