US-Russia Nuclear Security Cooperation: Funding


Funding for US-Russian nuclear cooperation came initially from the US Department of Defense and had in the early years to be re-programmed from within the existing defense budget with several conditions attached:

a. Funding had to be approved by four congressional committees.
b. When possible, funds were to be used for purchase of US technology and know-how.
c. Annual certification that recipient countries were committed to nuclear dismantlement, verification and arms control agreements; not spending too much on military modernization; and observing human rights, including protection of minorities.

Under the Clinton administration nuclear security cooperation with the former Soviet Union received a higher priority in national security thinking and Cooperative Threat Reduction was given its own place in the defense budget. As the programs expanded and multiplied funding was spread to other US agencies.

US-Russian nuclear cooperation has over the years attracted increased involvement by the nuclear energy industry (in both countries), who has meanwhile become an important player and driving force behind a number of collaborate nuclear research programs and commercial nuclear fuel ventures funded by the Department of Energy and the State Department.

As of 2001, the costs for US nonproliferation assistance to the Newly Independent States have been estimated to around $5.5 billion. Below are links to official budget documentation and detailed comparative tables according to sponsoring department with the US government.

Recent Analysis



US Department of defense (DOD)

The US department of Defense currently funds the following nuclear security programs related to Russia under CTR. They are administered by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA):

  • Strategic Offensive Arms Elimination (SOAE)
  • Nuclear Weapons Protection Control & Accounting (WPC&A)
  • Mayak Fissile Material Storage Facility Construction

Official budget and budget justification documents

Other US government reports



US Department of Energy


The US department of Energy currently funds the following nuclear security programs related to Russia. They are administered by Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation of the DOE National Nuclear Security Administration:

  • International Nuclear Materials Protection and Protection (former MPC&A)
  • Russian Transition Initiatives
  • HEU Transparency Implementation
  • Elimination of Weapons-Grade Plutonium Production
  • Fissile Material Disposition

Program Title

FY 2001 Current Approp.

FY 2001 Comparable Approp.

FY 2002 Current Approp.

FY 2002 Comparable Approp.

FY 2003 Request to Congress

International nuclear materials protection
and cooperation

169,707

170,452

293,000

291,900

233,077

Russian transition initiatives (IIP and NCI)

— —

50,759

57,000

57,000

39,334

HEU transparency implementation

14,592

14,592

13,950

13,950

17,229

International nuclear safety

19,401

20,581

20,000

21,100

14,576

Soviet design reactor safety program

46,500

46,500

— —

— —

— —

Elimination of weapons-grade
plutonium production program
— — — —

— —

— —

49,339

Fissile materials disposition

  

US surplus materials disposition

116,863

116,863

135,089

135,089

194,000

Russian surplus materials disposition

39,507

39,507

61,000

61,000

98,000

 

Construction at Savannah River, SC, USA

 

(HEU) blend down

20,886

20,886

29,340

29,340

30,000

Immobilization and associated processing facility

2,993

2,993

— —

— —

— —

Pit disassembly and conversion facility

19,956

19,956

11,000

11,000

33,000

Mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility

25,943

25,943

65,993

65,993

93,000

   Total construction

69,778

69,778

106,333

106,333

156,000

Total, fissile materials disposition

226,148

226,148

302,422

302,422

448,000

TOTAL, NONPROLIFERATION PROGRAMS
WITH RUSSIA

476,348

529,032

686,372

686,372

801,555

Source: http://www.mbe.doe.gov/budget/03budget/content/appstat.pdf
For more DOE funding documents see DOE Office of Budget


Official budget and budget justification documents

Other US government reports



US Department of State

The Department of State currently funds the following programs related to Russia. They are administered through the Bureau of Nonproliferation:

  • Export Control and Border Security Assistance
  • Science and Technology Center Program

All State Department nonproliferation programs are funded out of Foreign Operations appropriations. In past years many of these programs were funded in whole or part from the Freedom Support Act account. Supplemental funding for other cooperation programs is also usually sought through the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (NDF). For State Department budget documents, see Bureau of Resource Management.

Other US government reports