Sarmat Surge: Russia Signals Strategic ICBM Strengthening
Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will add the next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile ‘Sarmat’ to its arsenal by the end of the current year. The announcement comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War and heightened tensions with the Western world.
In a televised address on Tuesday, 12 May, the Russian President said that the ‘Sarmat’ missile would be deployed to further modernize Russia’s strategic nuclear forces. He claimed that the missile is capable of penetrating any defense system.
According to Putin, ‘Sarmat’ can strike targets not only through conventional ballistic trajectories but also by using sub-orbital paths. It has a range exceeding 35,000 kilometers and significantly enhanced target-striking capability compared to previous systems.
It has also been reported that Sergei Karakayev, Commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, has presented a report on successful tests of the missile to Putin.
The ‘Sarmat’ project was undertaken as part of Russia’s military modernization program launched in 2018. However, the project has faced challenges due to technical faults and delays at various stages. According to Western intelligence sources, during a test launch in September 2024, the missile exploded at the launch site.
Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022, Putin has repeatedly highlighted Russia’s nuclear capabilities. Analysts believe that the announcement of deploying ‘Sarmat’ may heighten tensions in international geopolitics and increase the risk of a renewed arms race.
DBTech/SM/EK/OR
