MOSCOW: Tensions between Moscow and the West have reached their highest point since the end of the Cold War due to the war in Syria, Russian annexation of Crimea, Salisbury attack in the UK and alleged Russian interference in the US Presidential elections of 2016.
Analysts in the West have described Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war and Ukraine as signs of a resurgent Russia under Vladimir Putin, though Moscow takes a different view on the matter.
“Missile defence elements are being installed, we have been deeply concerned about it, raising this issue for 10 years. It is undermining the global strategic balance of force,” Putin has said in reference to US missile defence systems in Europe.
“The situation is getting worse. It is a trigger for a new spiral of the arms race,” he said on another occasion.
The Russians have lamented how NATO, led by the United States, has refused to acknowledged Russian interests, especially with regards to integrating former Soviet republics into the security organisation and deploying ballistic missile defences around Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the tensions as “worse than Cold War” due to an absence of clear channels of communication and blatant “Russophobia” in Western capitals.
From Moscow’s perspective, addressing the increasing disparity in terms of power is necessary and for this reason Russian President Vladimir Putin last month revealed a range of weapons designed specifically to counter what it perceives to be NATO’s aggression.
“Russia has those weapons,” Putin announced.
“They did not listen to us then. You listen up now,” Putin remarked.
Here’s a brief overview of some of those weapon systems.
1) The Kinzhal (Dagger) Hypersonic missile
The Kinzhal Hypersonic missile can travel over 10 times the speed of sound and is capable of maneuvering in-flight. With a range of 2000 km and ability to be carried on an aircraft, its speed, range and maneuverability makes it difficult to intercept by missile defence systems. The missile can also carry nuclear warheads.
Here’s a video of the missile test coupled with a short animation.
На боевое дежурство поставлен новейший гиперзвуковой комплекс «Кинжал» https://t.co/GCc57s3T36 pic.twitter.com/nKCzlXDHLW
— Телеканал “Звезда” (@zvezdanews) March 1, 2018
2) The Avangard hypersonic glide weapon
The Avangard hypersonic glide system is carried on an Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) as a warhead several kilometres above the ground and then released, allowing it to glide down to earth at over 20 times the speed of sound. The sheer speed and maneuverability allows it to bypass a missile defence systems’ range and targeting capabilities to strike its target.
“Like a meteorite, like a fireball,” said Putin as he announced the Avangard.
Courtesy RT
3) The Burevestnik (Storm bringer) Cruise Missile
The Burevestnik is powered by a nuclear reactor which virtually gives it an unlimited range. Conventional cruise missiles have a limited range due to fuel limits.
Because of its unlimited range, the missile can take the least-defended routes to a target, bypass missile defences and potentially fly all over the globe for a considerable period of time and then strike its target at an opportune moment. It can also carry a nuclear warhead.
Here is a video demonstrating the capabilities of the missile.
Courtesy RT
4) Poseidon underwater nuclear drones
Putin revealed that Russian engineers and scientists are working on a new Autonomous underwater drone that can be launched from submarines. A single drone or a set of drones can be released by a submarine at a considerable distance from the intended target.
The drones, by virtue of their small size, greater travelling depths and high speeds, can evade detection before striking their targets. The drones can carry conventional or nuclear warheads to strike an enemy’s surface warship fleet or incinerate an entire coastal city.
Courtesy Sputnik
Here is an exceptional recap of the new weapon systems as well as Russia’s reasoning behind their development.
Courtesy RT