Phil Stewart and Idrees Al

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – A test of the Minuteman III intercontinental nuclear ballistic missile by the U.S. has been cancelled. The Air Force said Friday that the cancellation was made in an effort to reduce tensions with Russia after the war in Ukraine.

On March 2, the Pentagon declared a delay to the test after Russia announced it had placed its nuclear force on high alert. Washington declared at the time that both Russia and America should “remember the danger of miscalculations” and make steps to minimize them.

However, it stated publicly that it intended to delay the test only “a little bit” and not cancel it.

Ann Stefanek, spokesperson for the Air Force said that the cancellation of the LGM-30G Minuteman III test was due to the exact same reasons it was cancelled when it was first delayed. This year’s Minuteman III test is set for later in the year.

Stefanek declared that “The Air Force is confident about the readiness of strategic forces of America.”

It is possible to alter the schedule of testing for America’s ICBM force. This can cause controversy. U.S. The Senate Armed Services Committee was led by Senator Jim Inhofe. In March, he expressed his disappointment at the delays in a test that he considered crucial to ensure America’s nuclear deterrent is effective.

Jeffrey Lewis, an expert on missiles at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Washington (CNS), minimized the effect of the cancellation.

Lewis stated that there is value in taking the tests, but he doesn’t believe missing one test is an important thing. He also added that the Minuteman III proved to be extremely reliable.

Minuteman III can be used to carry nuclear weapons and is an important part of U.S. strategic military arsenal. Minuteman III has a range over 6,000 miles (plus kilometers) and can travel up to 15,000 miles per hour (24,000 KPH).

Launch crews operate underground silos that are hardened and contain missiles.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President, said that the nation’s nukes should be kept on high alert in February. There are fears that Russia could invade Ukraine and cause nuclear war. However, U.S. officials claim that there is no reason for Washington to reduce its nuclear alert levels.

After the Cold War, Russia and America have the largest arsenals of nukes after which the West was divided.

Russia earlier Friday announced it was strengthening its western border with Europe.