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Seabed Arms Control Treaty

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description Seabed Arms Control Treaty Overview

The Seabed Arms Control Treaty, formally the Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor, was opened for signature in 1971 and entered into force in 1972. It prohibits placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction on the seabed beyond a 12-mile coastal zone. The treaty was negotiated within the framework of the United Nations.

help Seabed Arms Control Treaty FAQ

What does the Seabed Arms Control Treaty prohibit?

It prohibits placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction on the seabed, ocean floor, or beneath it beyond a coastal 12-mile zone. It does not ban submarines carrying nuclear weapons through the oceans.

Does the treaty demilitarize the entire ocean floor?

No, its prohibition is limited to nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, plus structures and facilities specifically intended to store, test, or use them. Conventional military equipment is not categorically banned.

Why was a seabed weapons treaty negotiated during the Cold War?

Advances in undersea technology raised fears that the United States or Soviet Union might hide nuclear systems on the ocean floor. The treaty constrained that potential arms race without restricting established submarine-based deterrents.

When did the Seabed Arms Control Treaty take effect?

The treaty was opened for signature in 1971 and entered into force on May 18, 1972. The United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom served as its depositary governments.

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