Russia to boost production, deliveries of hypersonic missiles: Putin
The Russian leader stated that Russia will continue to concentrate on boosting capabilities of its nuclear triad.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the ''Glory to the Defenders of the Fatherland'' concert, a day before the Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday honoring Russia's armed forces at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
In an address on the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that in the year 2023, Russia is set to increase the production of hypersonic air-to-surface Kinzhal missiles, as well as the mass production of anti-ship hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles and that the first launchers of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile complex with new heavy missiles enter into combat duty.
"This year, the first launchers of the Sarmat missile complex with a new heavy missile will enter into combat duty. We will continue the mass production of hypersonic air-to-surface Kinzhal missiles and begin mass deliveries of anti-ship hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles," Putin said in his speech.
Russia becomes the first country to deploy hypersonic missiles on a ship
— Indian Aerospace Defence News (IADN) (@NewsIADN) January 5, 2023
The Russian Navy's 22350 frigate Admiral Gorshkov has set out on a deployment armed with new Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles.
The ship would sail to Indian Ocean, also Atlantic, and the Mediterranean Sea pic.twitter.com/qpWNNE7RrR
The Russian leader further stated that Russia will continue to concentrate on boosting the capabilities of its nuclear triad, which include land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed submarines, and strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles.
"We will pay increased attention, as before, to strengthening the nuclear triad," Putin said.
Read more: South Africa, China, Russia start joint naval exercises
With regards to naval capabilities, the Russian leader announced that the share of modern weapons and equipment in the naval strategic nuclear forces will reach 100% once the cruiser Emperor Alexander III enters into combat duty.
An additional three ballistic missile submarines will join the fleet in the coming years, he added.
"The entry of cruiser Emperor Alexander III into combat duty of the Russian navy will ensure that the share of modern weapons and equipment in the naval strategic nuclear forces will reach 100%. In the coming years, the fleet's combat strength will be enhanced by three more similar ballistic missile submarines," Putin said.
Russia's latest nuclear-powered strategic submarines Generalissimo Suvorov and Emperor Alexander III were commissioned and launched, respectively, on Thursday.pic.twitter.com/5Hboap6Gsv
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) December 29, 2022
US Reactions
In reaction to Russia's recent move to suspend its participation in the New START treaty, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Wednesday that it is an understatement to say that the US and Russia are in a period of heightened tensions.
"It is an understatement to say that we are now in a period of heightened tensions between the United States and Russia. But these are issues that matter to the United States. These are issues that matter to Russia. These are issues that matter to people around the world, it is what the rest of the world expects of us as responsible powers--responsible nuclear powers," Price told a briefing.
Read more: Biden says Russia suspension of New START 'big mistake'
