The Crucial Element - Missile Testing

But, overall, the testing and development of nuclear warheads is only a minor factor in the arms race. Much more important are the increases in missile effectiveness. In fact, is has been calculated that 80 percent of the momentum of the strategic arms race is due to increase in accuracy, range, payload and survivability of the missiles, aircraft etc Which actually deliver the nuclear warheads.

Therefore, an important factor in the proposals for a Nuclear Free Zone is a provision to impede the development of delivery systems. A provision which bans the testing of nuclear weapon delivery systems in the Pacific would he aimed primarily at the U.S. Pacific Missile Range (PMR), which stretches across the Pacific from California to Kwajelein Atoll.