Putin Adds Five New Strategic Weapon Systems to his War Machine ... Canada Does Nothing
Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin in a nationally televised annual address announced Russia’s response to the recent US Nuclear Posture Review.
Putin said that Russia had at least five new strategic weapon systems to confront the US and NATO, including an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capable of reaching any target in the world and rendering American missile defenses “useless.” He also cautioned that, "Any use of nuclear weapons against Russia or its allies … any kind of attack … will be regarded as a nuclear attack against Russia, and in response we will take action instantaneously no matter what the consequences are. "
The new strategic weapons systems include:
The new RS-28 “Sarmat” ICBM that is to replace the old Soviet-era SS-18 Satan ICBM. The Sarmat ICBM has a range that will allow it to attack targets almost anywhere on the planet with attack options including flight paths over both the North and South Poles. This is important because US missile defense are focused on attacks over the North Pole and interceptors are deployed in Alaska and California. The Sarmat ICBM can carry multiple warheads and can deploy an inter-continental hypersonic glide vehicle called, “Avangard,” that flies at 20 times the speed of sound to strike its targets.
As well, Putin referred to a new low-attitude, difficult to notice, nuclear-tipped cruise missile, with virtually unlimited range, an unpredictable trajectory, capability to bypass interception lines and powered by a small nuclear reactor.
A new dual-purpose, nuclear or conventionally-tipped, hypersonic air- launched cruise missile called, “Kinzhal” or “Dagger,” with a range of about 2000 kilometers and flying at ten times the speed of sound to its target.
Additionally, Putin confirmed the existence of an inter-continental range, ultra high-speed, nuclear-tipped, under-sea drone called, “Kanyon or Status 6,” geared to destroy US aircraft carrier battlegroups or to knockout large coastal cities and ports and to make large swaths of the coast uninhabitable due to nuclear fallout.
And a new laser-based strategic weapon system like the U.S. Navy’s own AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System.
Meanwhile, Canada’s recently announce 2018-19 Fiscal Budget included no new funding for defence or new military equipment outside of a loose commitment to last year’s defence policy review. Just saying…
