December 17, 2003 :: London Guardian :: News
Missiles previously slated to be destroyed under the now obsolete START II Treaty will continue to be an important part of Russia’s massive offensive nuclear arsenal for another ten to fifteen years, commented top general Nikolai Solovtsov, chief of the country’s Strategic Missile Forces. “SS-18” and “Satan” are the Western designations for the missiles known in Russia as R-36.
This comment yet again confirms two things. First, that Russia is as intent as ever in maintaining a heavy nuclear offensive force—designed particularly against the United States—at levels on par with the United States. And second, that the recent Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction (SORT) Treaty permits cash-strapped Russia to do so at cost effective measures, such as extending the life of their older arsenal and thus postponing the need for heavier expenditures to produce large numbers of more modern systems, such as the SS-27.
(Article)» December 5: Update on Russian Testing of SS-18 and SS-19
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