United States, Allies Demand Warning Before Ballistic Missile Launches

The United States and 39 partner governments called Tuesday for countries conducting long-range missile and space launches to provide advance notification to affected states, warning that recent testing activity in the Pacific had fallen short of commonly used deconfliction practices. In a joint statement released by the U.S. Department of State, the governments said launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles should be communicated in advance to reduce the risk of miscalculation and unintended escalation.

The statement specifically cited recent nuclear-capable ballistic missile testing in the Pacific, saying the activity did not follow notification practices adopted by most states. It did not identify the country or countries responsible for the tests. The signatories warned that launches conducted without sufficient advance notice or detail could endanger nearby states, undermine regional and global stability and increase uncertainty surrounding military intentions.

The governments called for countries conducting ICBM, SLBM or space launches to provide notification no less than 24 hours before launch. They said notices should include the general class of missile or launch vehicle, the planned launch window, launch area and expected direction of travel. Clear notifications for civilian aviation and maritime traffic should also be issued for areas that could be affected by falling debris or planned impact zones.

The statement pointed to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation as an existing framework for transparency, noting that 145 countries participate in the mechanism. The signatories said advance notification arrangements are not intended to restrict military development or operational requirements, but rather to establish predictable procedures between states possessing long-range missile capabilities. They pledged to continue efforts to expand missile-launch notification frameworks while holding governments accountable when their actions fall short of established responsibilities.