nuclear-news

Vladimir Putin vows to strengthen Russia’s nuclear forces to guarantee its sovereignty

Thu 23 Feb 2023  ABC News

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will boost its nuclear forces by deploying a much-delayed new intercontinental ballistic missile, rolling out hypersonic missiles and adding new nuclear submarines.

Key points:

• During a speech to mark a Soviet victory public holiday, Mr Putin said Russia needed modernised armed forces to guarantee its sovereignty
• Mr Putin says the Sarmat silo-based intercontinental ballistic missiles will be deployed this year
• He says Russia will also continue mass production of air-based hypersonic Kinzhal systems and start mass supplies of sea-based Zircon hypersonic missiles

A year since ordering the invasion of Ukraine, Mr Putin has signalled he is ready to rip up the architecture of nuclear arms control — including the big powers’ moratorium on nuclear testing — unless the West backs off in Ukraine.

Mr Putin on Tuesday sought to underscore Russian resolve in Ukraine by suspending a landmark nuclear arms control treaty, announcing new strategic systems had been put on combat duty and warning Moscow could resume nuclear tests.

In an address to mark the Defender of the Fatherland public holiday, known in Soviet times as Red Army Day, Mr Putin invoked the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany to argue that Russia needed modernised armed forces to guarantee its sovereignty………………………………. more https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-23/vladimir-putin-says-russia-to-deploy-sarmat-nuclear-missiles/102016510

February 24, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Russia, weapons and war