MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday the Russian Navy would be equipped with hypersonic nuclear strike weapons and underwater nuclear drones. The defence ministry said they were in their final phase of testing.
Putin, who often asserts that he does not want an arms race, has often voiced about a new generation of Russian nuclear weapons, which are unparalleled.
The weapons were designed to be carried by submarines, and the Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile can be used on surface ships.
Putin said the navy’s capabilities were broadening and it would get 40 new vessels this year.
Though it was not revealed when it would receive new hypersonic weapons, it was implied that it would be very soon.
Putin said, “The widespread deployment of advanced digital technologies that have no equals in the world, including hypersonic strike systems and underwater drones, will give the fleet unique advantages and increased combat capabilities.”
The defence ministry, in a separate statement released via Russian news agencies, said testing of the Belgorod, the first submarine capable of carrying the Poseidon drones, was going on. Testing of the weapons systems was about to get completed.
It was cited as saying, “Work is being successfully completed to create modern weapons systems for the Navy.”
Washington has not employed such missiles in Europe, but Moscow is apprehensive about the same.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.