November 17, 2004 :: AP :: News
President Vladimir Putin noted today, in a speech to the Russian military leadership, that Russia has been developing a new form of strategic weapon. Putin has affirmed Russia’s intention to do so on a number of occasions. Previous reports have suggested that the new weapon may consist of a hypersonic cruise missile or a hypersonic warhead for an existing missile, either of which could evade U.S. ballistic missile defenses. The United States yesterday tested the X-43 hypersonic system, reaching a new speed record of ten times the speed of sound.
Although Putin’s speech today added few details, it is nevertheless notable. Putin said that Russia “is not only conducting research and successfully testing new nuclear-missile systems. I am sure that … they will be put in service within the next few years and, what is more, they will be developments of the kind that other nuclear powers do not and will not have,” according to ITAR-Tass, Russia’s state news agency.
Of particular interest is Putin’s understanding that strategic forces and concern with terrorism go hand in hand, rather than being in competition with each other. “International terrorism is one of the major threats for Russia. We understand as soon as we ignore such components of our defense as a nuclear and missile shield, other threats may occur.” By contrast, some missile defense opponents in America depreciate missile defense as a distraction from the war on terror, when both are essential to American national security.
The nature of the “new” missile is unclear. One unconfirmed report suggests that it may be a new, “next-generation heavy nuclear missile that could carry up to 10 nuclear warheads weighing a total of 4.4 tons, compared with the Topol-M’s 1.32-ton combat payload.” While the launch and payload weight for the Topol-M have not been confirmed, a more likely explanation is that Putin refers to new warhead systems for the Topol-M (SS-27) or the Bulava (SS-NX-30) missiles. The Topol-M has been deployed for several years, and the final testing of the missile is said to be completed this year. A number of Topol-Ms are due to be deployed this December, and others in 2005. The Bulava missile, the sea-based version of the Topol-M, will begin flight testing in 2005.
Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov also today commented on Russia’s missile plans for the coming year. Ivanov said that Russia will acquire four (unnamed) strategic missiles in 2005, as well as two launchers for the short range Iskander-E (SS-X-26) missile, nine spacecraft, and five booster rockets, according to Interfax.
Update: November 18, 2004: Pavel Podvig suggests that the four missiles to which Ivanov referred are likely four Topol-Ms, which are due to be deployed in December, at the Tatishchevo missile base, near the Saratov region. (Article)
» CNN on Putin speech
» Update: Nov. 18: Experts say Putin remark refer to Bulava
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-27, SS-NX-30, SS-26
