What do US experts say when Russia tests 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), an expert at the Valdai International Discussion Club.
According to US experts, at the strategic level, this system will not have a major impact on US doctrine, because it will not change the large number of sensitive strategic ballistic missiles of 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 foreign bases allow the US military to strike targets quickly without using any potential hypersonic systems at home," 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 catch up with Russia in key military technology,” Sputnik's source added.
“In general, 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 does not exclude that Russia could supply these systems to countries such as Syria and China and deter potential US attacks,” Weitz said.
According to the Kremlin, the Avangard missile test program has been fully completed and allows the complex to be put into service on time. It should be noted that the tested wing unit's planning capabilities allow overcoming information coverage and missile defense zones, ensuring effective overcoming of all existing and future missile defense systems.
In this regard, the US Audit Office noted that the United States does not yet have a missile defense system that can protect against hypersonic weapons, especially Russian ones. Experts polled by Sputnik noted that countries need at least five years to catch up with Russia in this area.