What do American experts say about Russia's testing of the Avangard hypersonic missile?
The Avangard hypersonic complex will complicate Russia-US relations in the field of arms control, said Richard Weitz, director of the Hudson Center for Military-Political Analysis (USA) and expert at the Valdai International Discussion Club.
According to American experts, at the strategic level, this system will not have a major impact on US doctrine, as it will not change the large number of sensitive strategic ballistic missiles held by Russia and the US.
"The United States, like Russia, has been researching hypersonic technology for decades, but has never deployed it. These systems are of little value to the US Armed Forces, as there are already many effective means of attacking targets. For example, a large number of overseas bases allow the US military to attack targets quickly without using any potential hypersonic systems domestically," Richard Weiz told Sputnik.
Photo: The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
However, "the Russian test has increased pressure on the United States to develop such systems to keep pace with Russia in critical military technology," the Sputnik source added.
"Overall, experts believe that such systems could complicate the future of arms control in Russia and the United States. However, Russia and the United States have some common interests in preventing other countries from acquiring hypersonic weapons technology, while it cannot be ruled out that Russia could supply these systems to countries like Syria and China and deter potential US attacks," Weitz said.
According to the Kremlin, the Avangard missile testing program has been fully completed and allows the system to be put into service on schedule. It should be noted that the tested winged missile unit's ability to plan its deployment allows it to overcome areas of information coverage and missile defense, ensuring effective overcoming of all current and future missile defense systems.
On this issue, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the State noted that the United States does not yet have a missile defense system capable of protecting against hypersonic weapons, particularly those of Russia. Experts surveyed by Sputnik noted that countries need at least five years to catch up with Russia in this field.
