About the treaty

• The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) was signed in 2010 by Russia and the United States and entered into force in 2011. 
• New START replaced the 1991 START I treaty, which expired in 2009, and superseded the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT).
• New START caps the deployed strategic nuclear warheads and bombs of the United States at Russia at 1,550 each. The Treaty includes limits on missiles, bombers, and land-based launchers for nuclear weapons. 
• The Treaty also allows for verification inspections and information-sharing. 
• The New Start Treaty is due to expire this February.

Why in News?

• Russian lawmakers have approved the extension of the last remaining nuclear Russia-U.S. arms control treaty, a fast-track action that comes just days before it’s due to expire.
• Both houses of Parliament voted unanimously to extend the New START treaty for five years, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia said they agreed to complete the necessary extension procedures in the next few days.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russia-gives-nod-to-extend-start-treaty/article33678582.ece