Russia deploys nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles system ‘Avangard’

Moscow: Avangard hypersonic missiles, capable of hitting any part of the world in a matter of minutes, was deployed in the Russian military. The Strategic Missile Forces informed that the missiles were deployed at the Russian base in the Ural Mountains. Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu confirmed the information on the missile system calling it a historic development for Russia.

Two months ago, China declared the induction of the ‘DF-ZA’ hypersonic missiles in the defence forces. Russia, therefore, becomes the second country in the world to deploy hypersonic weapons in its defence forces after China. However, the Chinese weapon is capable of speeds up to Mach 10, whereas the Russian hypersonic missile ‘Avangard’ can scale up to a whopping Mach 27.

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that no existing air defence system could neutralise Avangard or similar hypersonic missiles. The Avangard can carry a nuclear weapon of up to 2 megatons. Also, Russia claimed the missile system was a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile which can efficiently hit any part of the world.

Towards the end of last month, the Russian defence ministry had informed that they had demonstrated the missile to the US military inspectors. Furthermore, President Vladimir Putin had announced in the previous year that Russia was in the process of developing futuristic and super-advanced missiles, drones, fighter jets and submarines. The intercontinental hypersonic nuclear missile Avangard was one of the weapons Putin had mentioned.

Apart from Avangard, Russia has also developed the hypersonic missiles Zircon, Kinzhal and KH-90 which are capable of speeds between Mach 5 and Mach 12. Russian sources informed, Zircon was a hypersonic missile, specially designed for the navy that would be deployed by the end of 2020.

Even though Russia claims the missiles cannot be intercepted, the United States asserted its super-lasers could neutralise the weapons. Furthermore, US company Raytheon had stated it had developed the super-laser system a few months ago.

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