Robots in a closed room at an army depot in Pueblo, Colorado, are currently demolishing the world's last stockpile of chemical weapons, NYT reports.
This is a significant operation, which involves shells filled with poisonous substances that have been stored for over 70 years. The robots pierce, dry, wash, and subject each shell to high temperatures, rendering them harmless before disposal. X-ray scans are conducted to prevent the spread of toxins during the destruction process. The use of remote-controlled robots minimizes human exposure to hazardous materials.
The Army states that the years-long effort is nearly complete, with the last weapons destroyed in a Pueblo warehouse in June. Additional weapons in a Kentucky warehouse are set to be eliminated shortly. Once these remaining weapons are eradicated, all publicly declared chemical weapons worldwide will be destroyed.
The amassed stockpile of chemical weapons in the United States is remarkable, including poison cluster bombs, fog-generating artillery shells, and tanks filled with toxic agents. Despite their inhumane nature and condemnation after World War I, the US and other countries continued developing and stockpiling such weapons.
While the US Army has not used chemical weapons in combat since 1918, the country made a commitment to eliminate its chemical weapon stockpile through agreements with the Soviet Union in 1989 and the ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997.
Disposing of these weapons has proven challenging due to their original design for use rather than dismantling. Initially projected to cost $1.4bn and take a few years, the process has experienced significant delays and now estimates a price tag of approximately $42bn.
Although countries like Great Britain, India, and Russia have destroyed their chemical weapon stockpiles, Pentagon officials caution that complete elimination has not been achieved. Concerns remain about countries that haven't signed the agreement, such as Russia, which is suspected of retaining undeclared reserves. The treaty also hasn't deterred the use of chemical weapons by illegal states and terrorist groups.
The US Department of Defense developed innovative methods for chemical weapon destruction after initial attempts using dilapidated ships and incinerators proved unsatisfactory.
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