Pentagon officers introduced Wednesday the postponement of an upcoming take a look at launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile as a method of displaying America's standing as a "accountable nuclear energy."

The delay is not going to affect the readiness of U.S. army forces, together with nuclear weapons, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby mentioned at a Wednesday press convention. The announcement additionally comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin has mentioned in current days that the Russian army's nuclear forces can be positioned on alert as a result of ongoing battle in Ukraine.

"We acknowledge, at this second of rigidity, how important it's that each america and Russia keep in mind the chance of miscalculation and take steps to cut back these dangers," Kirby mentioned, explaining that the delayed take a look at is designed to "reveal that we now have no intention in participating in any actions that may be misunderstood or misconstrued."

He mentioned it was not a choice that Pentagon officers took flippantly, however felt it was essential to act responsibly.

The U.S. army normally conducts at the very least two assessments of the know-how per yr to make sure that the estimated stockpile of over 400 are nonetheless efficient, in accordance with Missile Menace, a product of the Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research.

A earlier take a look at that occurred final August noticed one of many Minuteman III missiles launch from a base in California, touring about 4,200 miles and detonating explosives earlier than making contact with the floor of the ocean, in accordance with the Air Pressure.

"Check launches usually are not a response or response to world occasions or regional tensions," mentioned Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Boudreau following the August take a look at. "The launch calendars are constructed 5 years prematurely, and planning for every particular person launch begins six months to a yr previous to launch.

The Air Pressure mentioned on the time that the take a look at launches present the army with invaluable knowledge concerning the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM system and confidence that the missile will be deployed safely and precisely in an actual battle.

President Joe Biden, together with different U.S. army officers and NATO, have all mentioned following Putin's "fight readiness" order for Russia's nuclear forces that there is no such thing as a purpose to be anxious a couple of nuclear battle and refused to lift risk ranges.

A number of consultants instructed Newsweek earlier this week that Putin utilizing such a weapon on Ukraine was impossible due to the catastrophic impact it might have on the remainder of Europe and the western portion of Russia. The White Home has repeated that stance, however nonetheless mentioned discussions and threats of nuclear weapons must be prevented solely.

"We expect provocative rhetoric like this concerning nuclear weapons is harmful, provides to the chance of miscalculation, must be prevented and we is not going to take pleasure in it," White Home press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned Monday.

Replace 3/2/22 5:07 p.m. ET: This story has been up to date with extra context and data.

Pentagon Minuteman Missile Launch Delay
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby conducts a information briefing on the Pentagon Wednesday in Arlington, Virginia. Kirby introduced the delay of an upcoming take a look at launch of a Minuteman III missile in efforts to cut back rigidity between the U.S. and Russia.Alex Wong/Getty Photos