Russia has developed a number of advanced weapons systems, including a nuclear-powered cruise missile, which make all US capabilities aimed at undermining the Russian nuclear deterrent obsolete, President Vladimir Putin announced.
The latest advances in Russian strategic deterrence have made America’s anti-missile systems obsolete, so Washington should stop trying to diminish Russia’s security and start talking to Moscow as an equal partner, not the dominant military power it seeks to be, Putin said.
The Russian leader made the comments during his state of the nation address on Wednesday. While the first part of the address was a straightforward description of domestic goals and achievements, the second became a defiant challenge to the US. Putin announced that Russia has successfully developed several new weapons systems, which basically negate American anti-ballistic missile capabilities.
The Russian president accused the US of arrogance, saying that it thought that Russia would not be able to recover anytime soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union and that its interests can simply be ignored. One particular move – the withdrawal by George W Bush from the Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) in 2002 – resulted in Russia being increasingly surrounded by American assets, which undermined the country’s nuclear deterrence.
“In the end, if we did nothing, this would render the Russian nuclear potential worthless,” Putin said. “They could simply intercept all of it.”
Without a nuclear deterrent, Russia would be exposed to US military pressure and would not be able to pursue a sovereign policy, Putin said. The president warned as early as in 2004 that Russia would not sit idle and that it would respond to this threat by developing new weapons systems.
Russia’s new ‘big stick’
Russia has now done this, according to Putin, who went on to present a number of new systems, some of which don’t yet have names, and which are all meant to counter current and future ABM systems. His speech was accompanied by a series of video clips showing those new systems, partially as footage of tests and partially as computer-generated images showing their capabilities.
One system is the new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) called Sarmat, or RS-28. It’s already well-known, but Putin stressed that its increased range allows the missile to reach US territory from Russia via a South Pole route. The US has dozens of interceptor missiles deployed in Alaska on the presumption that Russia’s ICBMs would approach from that direction, which would not be the case with Sarmat.
In fact, the Soviet Union had a missile that could approach the US from any direction. It was not a regular ballistic missile but rather one that put the warhead into low-earth orbit. The warhead would then deorbit when close to its target, thanks to its own engines. However, the R-36orb missiles were scrapped as part of nuclear reduction process.
Putin then went on to weapons systems that were not previously known to the public. One is a yet-to-be-named cruise missile with an almost unlimited range.
This is achieved thanks to a highly-efficient on-board miniaturized nuclear reactor, which powers the flight. Such a missile can fly low enough to avoid early detection, can change course to avoid enemy anti-missile assets along its path, and maneuver to pierce the anti-missile systems protecting its target.
According to Putin, Russia successfully tested a nuclear-propelled cruise missile at the end of 2017. It is now developing a new class of strategic weapons, he added.
The idea of a nuclear-powered projectile is hardly new. The US tried to develop one as part of Project Pluto in the early 1960s, but abandoned it since strategic missiles with chemical propellants proved to be a more viable alternative. Russia has reportedly made a breakthrough in this technology, becoming the first nation to bring it to maturity.
Putin also said that miniaturization of a nuclear reactor gave Russia another advanced weapons system in the form of a high-endurance underwater drone. The drone can dive “really very deep” and travel between continents at a speed that is several times higher than that of a submarine, a modern torpedo or even a surface ship, he said.
According to the president, such drones can attack enemy aircraft carrier groups, shoreline defenses or infrastructure, and cannot be countered by any defense system in the world. Both conventional and nuclear-tipped versions can be made, he said.
In December 2017, Russia completed the trials of a nuclear reactor which gives the drones such capabilities. The reactor is “100 times smaller” than those used by nuclear-propelled submarines and generates more power, Putin said. It can also reach its peak power 200 times faster than a conventional nuclear power plant.
The video shown for this weapon system didn’t include any actual test, but presumably the claimed miniaturization of a nuclear reactor, which was used for the cruise missile, can also work for a watercraft.
Putin then showcased two variants of a hypersonic weapons system already developed by Russia. One is an air-launched vehicle that is already deployed in southern Russia for test combat duty. The projectile travels at a speed of Mach-10 and has a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles). The weapon, which is called Kinzhal (“dagger” in Russian) is available in conventional and nuclear forms, Putin said. A video shown to the audience included the moment the weapon was deployed by a fighter jet and the fire from its engine.
Another weapon that is being developed, but which was not shown being tested because its appearance is classified, according to Putin, is a hypersonic glider warhead deployed from space. Russia first tested one back in 2004 and has made significant progress since, the president said. The glider can fly in the atmosphere at speeds of over Mach-20 and can withstand a heat of up to 2,000C (3,632F) generated by air fiction. The system is in series production and is called Avangard (“advance guard” in Russian).
The last weapon system showcased by Putin during his speech was a combat laser, which he said Russia had started to deploy last year. A small video clip showed what presumably is an anti-aircraft laser system, but no test footage was shown.
‘Speaking softly’: Russia wants negotiations, not confrontation
Putin stressed that Russia would not need all these new weapons if its legitimate concerns had not been ignored by the US and its allies. “Nobody wanted to talk with us on the core of the problem. Nobody listened to us. Now you listen!” he said.
He suggested that the US abandon its costly and inefficient hostile plans towards Russia and start negotiating a security arrangement which would take Moscow’s interests into account.
“To those who for the last 15 years have been trying to fan an arms race, achieve unilateral advantage against Russia, impose sanctions, which are illegal from the standpoint of international law and are aimed at holding back the development of our country, including in the military area, I have this to say: All the things you were trying to prevent through your policies have already happened. You have failed to hold Russia back,” Putin said.
“You now have to acknowledge this reality, confirm that everything I said is no bluff – which it isn’t – think for some time, send into retirement the people stuck in the past and incapable of looking into the future, [and] stop rocking the boat that we all ride in and which is called planet Earth,” he said. Russia would be responsive if talked to as an equal partner, Putin added.
There’s no doubt about it, today, the Military Industrial Complex is the World’s “Bully Boy”, dripping with arrogance, unwilling to talk peace, and full of Bluff. The same thing happened in the ’60’s and ’70’s, in Vietnam where the USA was ultimately defeated, and driven out.
It would make sense for the USA to negotiate a treaty to end the Korean War(Still officially a Truce) pull their troops out of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and wherever else their troops are stationed, and go home and act like a “World Citizen” instead of the “World’s Bikie Gang”………But they won’t, because it suits Israel for the USA to be involved in permanent War, on Israel’s behalf, while the American economy, infrastructure, and prestige go further down the drain.
Comment by Brian Harry, Australia |
March 1, 2018
| Reply
Brian, I believe there are certain pseudo-socialist (and “progressive”) groups and websites that constantly promote the evils of the Military Industrial Complex. However, it’s pretty obvious that these groups and websites are controlled opposition.
While it’s true that the MIC seems to be driving most of the warmongering of the West, primarily that of the U.S.A. & Britain, to simply name the MIC as the origin of the warmongering is what is known as “limited hangout”. It deflects attention and discussion away the question of whose interests it is serving. The motives of the MIC involve more than simply financial profits – specific nations and entities are targeted. The key point is to expose who is deciding what the targets are, and why.
In other words, the Military Industrial Complex is just the tool, not the entity that is wielding the tool.
I have no reason to argue with your summary above. The USA is clearly, greatly influenced at the top by the imbalance in the make up of the American Government. There are far too many people in positions of great power at the very top of the American hierarchy, who have dual passports, and whose loyalty to the USA is highly suspect.
This was pointed out originally by Dwight D Eisenhower back in 1960, but, the “Undue Influence” has now grown to be ‘out of control’, and the USA, as a Democracy, has been totally compromised by “DONORS”, but lets be honest, they’re BRIBES.
The USA shows no sign of reigning in the corruption at the top and as such, The Military Industrial Complex, and the people who own it, now, basically call the tune in matters of the highest importance.
Comment by Brian Harry, Australia |
March 1, 2018
| Reply
Yes, I have to admit that financial profit is the major driving force behind the MIC, just like it is the force behind other ‘complexes’ such as the pharmaceutical Industry + psychiatric profession complex. But I believe there are puppet masters who are controlling the MIC.
I think that, that’s what I implied………The USA needs to have a critical look at itself. The USA is no longer a “Free and Democratic” Country.
When the USA’s ‘bought and paid for’ Political class, give continuous standing ovations to the Israeli Prime Minister, and the ‘privately owned’ American Banking system has bailed out the Banks that brought America to its knees(while allowing hundreds of domestic American Banks to GO BUST), the ALARM BELLS should be ringing Loud and Clear………
The American people are victims, in their own land.
By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead | The Rutherford Institute | July 27, 2021
It is time to recalibrate the government.
For years now, we have suffered the injustices, cruelties, corruption and abuse of an entrenched government bureaucracy that has no regard for the Constitution or the rights of the citizenry.
By “government,” I’m not referring to the highly partisan, two-party bureaucracy of the Republicans and Democrats. Rather, I’m referring to “government” with a capital “G,” the entrenched Deep State that is unaffected by elections, unaltered by populist movements, and has set itself beyond the reach of the law.
We are overdue for a systemic check on the government’s overreaches and power grabs. … continue
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There’s no doubt about it, today, the Military Industrial Complex is the World’s “Bully Boy”, dripping with arrogance, unwilling to talk peace, and full of Bluff. The same thing happened in the ’60’s and ’70’s, in Vietnam where the USA was ultimately defeated, and driven out.
It would make sense for the USA to negotiate a treaty to end the Korean War(Still officially a Truce) pull their troops out of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and wherever else their troops are stationed, and go home and act like a “World Citizen” instead of the “World’s Bikie Gang”………But they won’t, because it suits Israel for the USA to be involved in permanent War, on Israel’s behalf, while the American economy, infrastructure, and prestige go further down the drain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brian, I believe there are certain pseudo-socialist (and “progressive”) groups and websites that constantly promote the evils of the Military Industrial Complex. However, it’s pretty obvious that these groups and websites are controlled opposition.
While it’s true that the MIC seems to be driving most of the warmongering of the West, primarily that of the U.S.A. & Britain, to simply name the MIC as the origin of the warmongering is what is known as “limited hangout”. It deflects attention and discussion away the question of whose interests it is serving. The motives of the MIC involve more than simply financial profits – specific nations and entities are targeted. The key point is to expose who is deciding what the targets are, and why.
In other words, the Military Industrial Complex is just the tool, not the entity that is wielding the tool.
LikeLike
P.S. By “promote the evils of the Military Industrial Complex” I mean, “state the evils of the Military Industrial Complex”.
LikeLike
I have no reason to argue with your summary above. The USA is clearly, greatly influenced at the top by the imbalance in the make up of the American Government. There are far too many people in positions of great power at the very top of the American hierarchy, who have dual passports, and whose loyalty to the USA is highly suspect.
This was pointed out originally by Dwight D Eisenhower back in 1960, but, the “Undue Influence” has now grown to be ‘out of control’, and the USA, as a Democracy, has been totally compromised by “DONORS”, but lets be honest, they’re BRIBES.
The USA shows no sign of reigning in the corruption at the top and as such, The Military Industrial Complex, and the people who own it, now, basically call the tune in matters of the highest importance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I have to admit that financial profit is the major driving force behind the MIC, just like it is the force behind other ‘complexes’ such as the pharmaceutical Industry + psychiatric profession complex. But I believe there are puppet masters who are controlling the MIC.
LikeLike
I think that, that’s what I implied………The USA needs to have a critical look at itself. The USA is no longer a “Free and Democratic” Country.
When the USA’s ‘bought and paid for’ Political class, give continuous standing ovations to the Israeli Prime Minister, and the ‘privately owned’ American Banking system has bailed out the Banks that brought America to its knees(while allowing hundreds of domestic American Banks to GO BUST), the ALARM BELLS should be ringing Loud and Clear………
The American people are victims, in their own land.
LikeLike