SurveillanceAccess of Russian surveillance craft to U.S. airspace questioned
Under the Treaty on Open Skies (OS), signed in 1992 and ratified in 2002, thirty-four nations allow the protected passage over their territory of surveillance aircraft from other OS signatory member states, aircraft featuring advanced sensory equipment that allow for the monitoring of arms controls compliance and troop movements. With rising U.S.-Russia tensions over Ukraine, and with information emerging about a new Russian surveillance aircraft model equipped with the most advanced surveillance capabilities, U.S. government officials and lawmakers question whether OS-related Russian surveillance flights over the United States should continue.
In the face of rising tensions over the Ukranian crisis, he U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, intelligence agencies, and members of Congress have all urged President Barack Obama to deny airspace certification in to an unnamed model of Russian aircraft.
Under the Treaty on Open Skies (OS), signed in 1992 and ratified in 2002, thirty-four nations allow the protected passage over their territory of surveillance aircraft from other OS signatory member states, aircraft featuring advanced sensory equipment that allow for the monitoring of arms controls compliance and troop movements.
Given evidence of a new Russian surveillance aircraft model equipped with advanced surveillance capabilities, many U.S. government officials are concerned, despite the State Department’s ultimate decision on the matter and inclination to approve. As theDaily Beast reports, on Wednesday last week “an interagency meeting of senior officials failed to reach consensus, delaying the decision until Obama takes it up with the National Security Council (NCS), according to U.S. officials involved in the dispute.”
Additionally, on 15 April, Representative Howard McKeon (R-California), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Representative Mike Rogers(R- Michigan) wrote in a letter to President Obama that “We agree with the concerns expressed by the Intelligence Community and the military leadership of the Department of Defense.”
TheDaily Beast, however, also notes that the State Department has argued that the United States should live up to the treaty’s obligations and approve the new Russian aircraft. The decision to certify the planes and their sensors has been pending since late last year, long before the Ukraine crisis began.
Further, one senior U.S. official said, “This isn’t just an issue between the United States and Russia. Our allies and partners depend on this treaty for insight into Russia because they don’t have the same capabilities as the United States.”
The Department of Defense has so far not made its position clear. The decision is to be delayed until President Obama returns from his trip to Asia.
