Russia has successfully tested the RS-28 Sarmat missile, which has a range of 35,000 km.
The RS-28 Sarmat missile possesses the capability to carry the Avangard hypersonic warhead and has a superior range, designed to neutralize any modern missile defense system.
Russia has successfully tested the advanced RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system. This liquid-fueled weapon system was developed to replace the RS-20V Voevoda – previously the world's most powerful silo-launched missile system – in order to maintain the strategic balance of power in the new situation.
Technical specifications and firepower of the RS-28 Sarmat
The RS-28 Sarmat missile is designed to carry up to 10 heavy warheads with multi-target re-entry vehicle (MIRV) capabilities. According to the Russian military, this new system is far superior to its predecessor in terms of range, payload, and accuracy.
Notably, the RS-28 Sarmat has a payload capacity four times greater than any existing Western missile. This weapon achieves a range of over 35,000 km and boasts twice the accuracy of older systems. These features allow the missile to effectively penetrate both existing and developing anti-missile defense (ABM) systems.
Supersonic technology and flexible attack tactics
The breakthrough of this missile family is its compatibility with the Avangard hypersonic glide warhead. This type of warhead can approach targets in the atmosphere at extremely high speeds, while maintaining agile maneuverability to evade enemy interceptor radars.
Tactically, the Sarmat's range allows the Russian military to launch attacks on targets from multiple directions. Specifically, the missile can be launched from Russia to targets in the United States via a trajectory that flies over Antarctica. This route helps the weapon avoid areas where the US ABM system is deployed, which is primarily concentrated in Alaska to intercept threats from the Arctic.
Context of strategic weapons development
The RS-28 Sarmat missile development program was accelerated to ensure strategic security after the US unilaterally withdrew from the Missile Defense Treaty. Russia asserts that these actions are aimed at preserving stability and the balance of power among nuclear powers.
Besides Sarmat, Russia is also in the process of perfecting two other advanced weapon systems: the Burevestnik unlimited-range cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned submersible. Both systems incorporate miniaturized nuclear reactor technology, allowing for unlimited range and duration of operation globally.
