US helps eliminate Ukraine's Scud missile stockpile

April 13, 2011 Spacewar – AFP

Washington - The United States said Wednesday it helped Ukraine destroy a stockpile of 185 surface-to-surface Scud missile systems. "Over 185 Scud missile airframes and 50 transporter-erector-launchers were destroyed or demilitarized," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, adding the disarmament work was completed on Monday. "Support equipment was also eliminated, including refueling trucks, warhead transport vans, command-and-control trucks, and other items associated with the Scud system," he said. He added that some "1,441 tons of Scud missile liquid oxidizer fuel that posed an environmental and safety threat to Ukraine's population also is being eliminated." The work was financed by the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Fund (NPD), which was established in 1994 to take advantage of opportunities to help countries disarm.