“The new complex has the highest tactical and technical qualities and is able to surpass all modern anti-aircraft systems. It has no competitor in the world and will not have one for a long time, “said Putin.
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It is the largest intercontinental ballistic missile ever, weighing over 208 tons. Because it has a range of up to 18,000 kilometers, it can be used for nuclear attacks across the South Pole, and not the shorter route across the North, where most US anti-missile systems are deployed.
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Test rocket Sarmat
Foto: Russian Defence Ministry, Reuters
The missile can carry up to fifteen warheads, each of which can fly on its own trajectory and, if well targeted, can destroy a territory the size of France. He is expected to wear hypersonic buoyancy bodies that allow maneuvering for most of the flight time in the atmosphere.
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Carrying capacity also helps overcome missile defense, as it can carry a large number of deceptive warheads.
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Just harassing weapons
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Moscow had informed Washington of the test, as required by international agreements, and that the United States had been able to track the flight. “Such tests are routine and it was no surprise.”
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Western experts have described the test as Russia’s nuclear weapons and added that it posed an extremely small threat to the United States and its allies. According to them, the test was to show Russia’s strength to the domestic audience after the Russian cruiser Moscow was sunk in the Black Sea.
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However, just as Putin clearly exaggerates the quality of Russian military equipment, the West seems to be downgrading them. Although Sarmat does not bring revolutionary technology, if it is really able to fly across the South Pole, as Russia claims, it would mean the need for the United States to expand the missile umbrella.
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In addition, the number of warheads and deceptive warheads burdens the missile defense system, especially if more missiles were launched. The massive nuclear charges that Sarmat can carry are also at risk.
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Start rakety Sarmat
Photo: ČTK / AP
Experts say that the Sarmat is just an improved version of the older, similarly heavy three-stage rocket R-36 Duke (Satan I). These missiles form the core of Russian nuclear missiles fired from the forces. They have a range of 10 to 16,000 km and can carry ten warheads, which is due to the reduction of disarmament agreements. However, these missiles are aging, and Russia lacks spare parts because they were manufactured in Dnepropetrovsk, now Ukrainian Dnipro.
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The Sarmat was first launched in 2017. Putin mentioned the missile in 2018 when he talked about new weapons. Even then, American officials downplayed the threat.
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The head of the Russian space agency Roskosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, said on Wednesday that Sarmat should be delivered to Russian forces from the autumn.
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