Russia to deploy hypersonic missiles which can evade defence systems ‘within months’
Vladimir Putin has said Russia will deploy new state-of-the-art missiles “within months”, putting the country ahead of its rivals in the West.
The new hypersonic missiles could evade western defence systems.
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“We have overcome all our partners and competitors, so to speak, in this area. Nobody else has high precision hypersonic arms,” Putin said today, according to the BBC.
The Avangard system was developed in direct response to a new US missile defence system, Putin said.
The new generation of missiles were first shown off at a Red Square parade in May to commemorate Russian efforts in the Second World War.
The system claims to be capable of hitting targets up to 2,000km (1,250 miles) away, according to reports in Russian media.
Russian Mig-31K jets carried the Kinjal (dagger) missiles. The Avangard hypersonic missile, which boasts “a glider manoeuvring warhead” was shown in a video clip in July.
Putin revealed the programme, and other missile systems he said were unbeatable, during his re-election campaign in March.
However, officials in Washington have questioned whether Putin actually has any capabilities beyond those already known to the US military.
Russian media reported that Putin also sent a warning to the West during his speech in Sochi: “Any aggressor should know that retribution will be inevitable and he will be destroyed.
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“And since we will be the victims of his aggression, we will be going to heaven as martyrs.
“They will simply drop dead, won’t even have time to repent.”