MOSCOW — Russia has tested an array of new strategic nuclear weapons thatcan’t be intercepted, President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday, markinga technological breakthrough that could dramatically increase Russia’smilitary capability, boost the Kremlin’s global position and open a newround in the global arms race.
Speaking in a state-of-the-nation speech, Putin said the weapons include anuclear-powered cruise missile, a nuclear-powered underwater drone and newhypersonic missile that have no equivalent elsewhere in the world. He saidthe creation of the new weapons has made NATO’s U.S.-led missile defense”useless,” and means an effective end to what he described as Westernefforts to stymie Russia’s development.
“I want to tell all those who have fueled the arms race over the last 15years, sought to win unilateral advantages over Russia, introduced unlawfulsanctions aimed to contain our country’s development: all what you wantedto impede with your policies have already happened,” he said. “You havefailed to contain Russia.”
The announcement comes as Putin is set to easily win another six-yearpresidential term in the March 18 election.
He said that the nuclear-powered cruise missile tested last fall has a”practically unlimited” range and high speed and maneuverability allowingit to pierce any missile defense.
The Russian leader said the high-speed underwater drone also has an”intercontinental” range and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead thatcould target both aircraft carriers and coastal facilities. He said itsoperational depth and high speed would make it immune to enemy intercept.
Putin noted that the tests of the compact nuclear reactor to power the newdrone were completed last fall.
He added, to applause, that names for the nuclear-powered cruise missileand the drone haven’t yet been chosen, and suggested that the DefenseMinistry run a nationwide contest for the best names.
Putin accompanied his statement to an audience of hundreds of seniorofficials and lawmakers with videos and computer images of new weapons,which were shown on giant screens at a conference hall near the Kremlin.
“No one in the world has anything like that,” he said. “It may appearsomeday, but by that time we will develop something new.”
The Russian leader said that another new weapon called Avangard is anintercontinental hypersonic missile that would fly to targets at a speed 20times the speed of sound and strike “like a meteorite, like a fireball.” -Agencies