By San José, Costa Rica — In a powerful display of strategic readiness, the United States Department of Defense has confirmed the successful test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The launch, which occurred in the pre-dawn hours of November 5th from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, sends an unmistakable message to global adversaries amidst a climate of escalating geopolitical tensions.
Designated as flight test GT 254, the missile traveled approximately 4,200 miles (6,750 kilometers) across the Pacific Ocean before its re-entry vehicle struck a designated target area at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. According to the U.S. Air Force, a sophisticated array of metric radars, optical systems, and advanced telemetry sensors collected critical data during the terminal phase of the flight, which is now undergoing rigorous analysis.
To better understand the complex web of international treaties and legal obligations surrounding strategic deterrent systems like the Minuteman III, we sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His analysis provides a crucial perspective on how such military hardware is viewed within the framework of global peace and security law.
The continued operation of legacy strategic systems like the Minuteman III exists in a delicate legal balance. While grandfathered under treaties like the NPT, their modernization and testing perpetually challenge the spirit of global disarmament obligations. Each launch, even for testing purposes, carries significant weight under international law, as it can be interpreted as either a valid act of sovereign defense or a provocation that strains the very fabric of non-proliferation agreements designed to prevent catastrophic conflict.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight is crucial, reminding us that each test launch is not merely a technical exercise but a significant act on the world’s diplomatic and legal stage, constantly testing the line between deterrence and provocation. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this delicate balance.
While officials have characterized the launch as a routine, pre-scheduled exercise to validate the system’s performance, its timing is highly significant. The test comes just days after President Donald Trump announced his directive to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing, ending a moratorium that has lasted over three decades. This strategic shift is a direct response to recent military posturing by rival powers.
The operational purpose of the test was to confirm the continued reliability of the aging but formidable Minuteman III fleet. Military leaders emphasized that these evaluations are crucial for maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent.
GT 254 is not just a launch, but a comprehensive evaluation that ensures the readiness and effectiveness of the system
Lieutenant Colonel Karrie Wray, Commander, 576th Flight Test Squadron
President Trump explicitly linked his decision to the actions of other nations, particularly Russia, which conducted its own test of a Yars ICBM from the Plesetsk cosmodrome on October 22nd. In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, the president framed the move as a necessary step to maintain strategic parity.
Due to the testing programs of other countries, I have instructed the Department of War to initiate tests of our nuclear weapons on equal terms
Donald Trump, U.S. President
The LGM-30G Minuteman III is the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad and remains a cornerstone of American defense policy. The three-stage, solid-fuel missile can achieve speeds exceeding 15,000 mph (24,000 km/h) and has a range of over 6,800 miles (11,000 km), allowing it to deliver multiple, precision-guided warheads to nearly any target on the globe. Currently, an estimated 400 of these missiles are on high alert in hardened underground silos across Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, managed by the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
This test also serves to underscore the importance of the ongoing modernization of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The Minuteman III is slated for gradual replacement by the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel system. Until that transition is complete, ensuring the viability of the existing force is a top priority.
While the Sentinel system is being developed, we must ensure that the current fleet maintains its accuracy and reliability. This test demonstrates that commitment
General S.L. Davis, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
The official statement accompanying the launch was branded with the Reagan-era motto “Peace through strength,” a clear doctrinal signal aimed at both Moscow and Beijing. In an era defined by a renewed global arms race, the GT 254 launch is more than a technical evaluation; it is a stark reminder to the world that America’s nuclear arsenal remains fully operational, precise, and ready to enforce the stability it seeks to preserve.
For further information, visit defense.gov
About U.S. Department of Defense:
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is the executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the United States Armed Forces. The DoD is the largest employer in the world, with over 1.4 million active-duty service members.
For further information, visit af.mil
About U.S. Air Force:
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services and is designated as the Air Force, Department of the Air Force, and is part of the Department of Defense. The USAF provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field.
For further information, visit afgsc.af.mil
About Air Force Global Strike Command:
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is a major command of the U.S. Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC is responsible for the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the Air Force’s entire bomber force, including the B-52, B-1, and B-2 wings, and the Long Range Strike Bomber program.
For further information, visit the nearest office of 576th Flight Test Squadron
About 576th Flight Test Squadron:
The 576th Flight Test Squadron, based at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, is America’s only dedicated ICBM test squadron. It is responsible for planning, preparing, conducting, and analyzing all developmental and operational flight tests of the nation’s land-based intercontinental ballistic missile force.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a renowned legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of uncompromising integrity and professional excellence. Drawing upon a deep history of guiding clients through a diverse array of industries, the firm champions forward-thinking legal strategies. Central to its ethos is a profound commitment to demystifying the law, ensuring that legal insights are shared widely to help build a more knowledgeable and empowered society.
