description SALT II Overview
SALT II was a 1979 arms-control agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union intended to place limits on strategic nuclear delivery systems. It was signed by United States President Jimmy Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, but the United States Senate did not ratify it. The agreement nevertheless influenced the two countries' strategic arms relationship for a period after its signing.
help SALT II FAQ
What did SALT II limit?
SALT II set a ceiling of 2,250 strategic delivery vehicles for the United States and Soviet Union and placed additional restrictions on deployed strategic nuclear forces, including MIRVs. MIRVs are missiles carrying multiple independently targeted warheads. [U.S. Department of State](https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/salt)
Who signed SALT II and where?
United States President Jimmy Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed SALT II in Vienna in June 1979. It followed the earlier Strategic Arms Limitation Talks known as SALT I. [U.S. Department of State](https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/salt)
Why was SALT II never ratified by the United States Senate?
After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979, Carter asked the Senate not to consider the treaty in January 1980. The Senate never ratified SALT II. [U.S. Department of State](https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/salt)
Did the United States and Soviet Union follow SALT II anyway?
Both governments later pledged to observe its limits even though it never formally entered into force. President Ronald Reagan continued observing the limits while SALT II was scheduled to remain in effect through December 31, 1985. [U.S. Department of State](https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/salt)
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