The Russian military is expected to put the new Sarmat ICBM into service soon. President Putin is deeply convinced of their superiority, but concedes "deviations from the schedules". Defense Minister Shoigu explains which new equipment the military should otherwise get.
Despite the delays, Russia wants to have its new Sarmat-type ICBM, which can be equipped with nuclear warheads, soon ready for use. "Everything is being implemented," said Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Moscow at a meeting of the military leadership in the Defense Ministry, which was broadcast on state television.
The President acknowledged that there were "deviations from the schedules". The missiles (NATO code name: SS-X-30 Satan 2) were originally supposed to be stationed with the armed forces in the fall. The plans would be fulfilled in any case, stressed Putin. The missile has a range of 18,000 kilometers and can be equipped with several nuclear warheads.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that 22 launch pads for ICBMs, including the Sarmat, Avantgarde and Jars types, should be put into operation next year. Three Tupolev Tu-160M long-range bombers, five submarines and twelve warships were also to be put into service. As early as January, a frigate is to be equipped with anti-ship missiles of the "Zirkon" type, which are also said to be able to develop hypersonic speeds.
At the end of the public part of the session, Putin said that the nuclear power was up to all military challenges and knew how to defend itself against the "NATO threat". At the same time, he emphasized that Russia - unlike the Soviet Union during the Cold War - would not arm itself to pieces in the confrontation with the West. According to Putin, there should be no "militarization of the economy" and no "war economy" that harms the country.
Russia tested the Sarmat amid its war in Ukraine in April. The missile allows Russia to attack from both the North and South Poles and reach targets around the world. Putin had declared that for a long time there would be nothing in the world that could compare to the rocket. The complex has "the best tactical and technical characteristics and is able to overcome all modern means of missile defense". Russia put its nuclear weapons on increased alert at the start of its war in Ukraine in February. The announcement was taken as a threat to the country's nuclear weapons.
