US to accelerate missile programme after INF treaty exit

The United States is to accelerate its development of new cruise and ballistic missile systems following its withdrawal from a nuclear treaty with Russia, the Pentagon said on Friday.

Accusing Russia of "sustained and repeated violations" of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US had already begun work to develop "mobile, conventional, ground-launched cruise and ballistic missile systems."