SALT 1, 1972

What was SALT 1?

The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, or SALT 1, was an agreement between the superpowers to limit the number of nuclear weapons they had.

When was SALT 1 signed?

SALT 1 was signed on 26th May, 1972.

Who signed SALT 1?

The SALT 1 agreement was signed between Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev .

What was agreed in SALT 1?

There were 4 important agreements in SALT 1:

• ❖ The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty stated anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs) were allowed at only two sites, with 100 missiles at each.
• ❖ The Interim Treaty limited the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLBMs) the USA and USSR could have. The USA was allowed 1054 ICBMs, and the USSR 1618.
• ❖ There would be a five-year delay in building more missiles, so another treaty (SALT 2) would have to be negotiated at the end of that time.
• ❖ The Basic Principles Agreement established what the USA and USSR would do to avoid nuclear war breaking out and the rules if it did occur.

What were the limitations of SALT 1?

SALT 1 was limited in 3 main ways because:

• ❖ It did not cover intermediate-range nuclear weapons, which were still being deployed by both countries.
• ❖ It did not include multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which carried multiple warheads on a single missile.
• ❖ Although it slowed down the arms race, both sides still had enough nuclear missiles to destroy the planet and there was no agreement not to use them.

Why was SALT 1 important?

SALT 1 was important because of 3 key reasons:

• ❖ It slowed the arms race.
• ❖ It showed an improvement in relations between the USA and the Soviet Union.
• ❖ It led to further improvements such as the Helsinki Conference in 1975 and the SALT 2 negotiations.