Nothing matches our new hypersonic weapons and they will safeguard Russia for decades, President Vladimir Putin boasts
-The Kinzhal hypersonic missile has already been flown on 89 missions, while the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle enters service next year, Russia says
-Vladimir Putin again denied that Russia had broken a 1987 nuclear treaty, saying it had no need to do so
President Vladimir Putin says Russia’s new weapons have no foreign equivalents and will help ensure the country’s security for decades to come.
Putin, speaking during Tuesday’s meeting with the top military brass in Moscow, specifically mentioned the new Kinzhal hypersonic missile and the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, saying they have significantly bolstered Russia’s military capability.
Kinzhal has already been commissioned by the military. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the aircraft-carried Kinzhal missiles have been flown on 89 patrol missions this year.
Shoigu said the Avangard will enter service with the military next year.
Putin said Russia would have to respond to the planned US withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. He reaffirmed a strong denial of Washington’s claim that Russia had violated the pact with a new land-based cruise missile and blamed the US for breaking it.
He argued that Russia has no need for such a land-based weapon because it already has similar missiles on its ships and aircraft.
Washington warned this month it would suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in 60 days if Russia did not return to full compliance.
The US claims the 9M729 cruise missile breaches the INF, which bans all land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres (300 to 3,400 miles.)
