News Media Resources: DTRA Fact Sheets - Cooperative Threat Reduction
Cooperative Threat Reduction Program
The mission of the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program is to prevent the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related materials, technologies
and expertise from former Soviet Union (FSU) states. This includes providing
for the safe destruction of Soviet era WMD, associated delivery systems and
related infrastructure, and consolidating and securing FSU WMD and related
technology and materials.
The program contributes to national security by:
• Reducing WMD threat to the United States and allies;
•
Reducing the risk of rogue states and terrorists gaining access
to WMD and related materials, technologies and expertise;
•
Exploiting the Soviet legacy of pathogens, data, and expertise to
enhance preparedness against biological threats;
•
Supporting Global War on Terrorism;
•
Contributing to regional stability and cooperation; and expanding
U.S. partnership in the region.
Originally sponsored by Senators Sam Nunn (D-GA) and Richard Lugar
(R-IN) as an amendment to the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty
Implementation Act, Congress formally established the CTR Program in
December 1991 as the "Soviet Nuclear Threat Reduction Act." It
was later renamed the "Cooperative Threat Reduction Program" in
1993 legislation, and has received over $5.9 billion through annual
defense appropriations since 1991. Assistance has been provided to
the former Soviet republics (primarily Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan,
Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan).
With CTR assistance, Kazakhstan became a non-nuclear weapons state
in April 1995, followed by Ukraine in June 1996, and Belarus in November
1996. Since its inception in 1991, the CTR Program has played a substantive
role in affecting fundamental changes to the strategic landscape of
the former Soviet Union, while assisting in the achievement of U.S.
national security objectives and promoting global stability.
DTRA safeguards America and its allies from weapons of mass destruction
(chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives)
by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and counter the threat,
and mitigate its effects. This Department of Defense combat support
agency is located at Fort Belvoir, Va., and operates field offices
worldwide.
