The United States announced on Tuesday August 16 that it had successfully tested a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a test postponed twice so as not to aggravate tensions around Ukraine first, Taiwan more recently.
The missile, which was unarmed, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 00:49 local time (0749 GMT), the US Air Force said in a statement.
Test planned since March
Equipped with a warhead that in wartime could carry a nuclear bomb, it traveled some 6760 km before sinking at sea near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the US military said.
"
This test is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent is safe, reliable, and effective in the face of 21st century threats, and to reassure our allies
," the Army said. American air.
"
There have already been more than 300 such tests, and it is not due to current world events
."
The test was scheduled for March, but was first postponed due to Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine, with Washington fearing Moscow could use the routine test to expand the conflict to other areas. country.
It had been postponed a second time in early August after the visit of the speaker of the American House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, an island claimed by the Chinese authorities.
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China reacted angrily to this move and launched the most important military maneuvers in its history around Taiwan: for five days, the army deployed warships, missiles and fighter planes, simulating a blockade of the island.
"
As China conducts destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan, the United States is instead behaving as a responsible nuclear power, reducing the risk of misunderstandings
," White House spokesman John Kirby said. , announcing the postponement of this test.
