Russia to Expand Nuclear Arsenal --- Putin says Moscow to deploy new long-range missiles capable of carrying warheads

"MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said he plans to deploy Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles this year, as Moscow touts its nuclear might.

"As before, we will pay increased attention to strengthening the nuclear triad," Mr. Putin said in an address marking a national holiday in Russia that honors the country's armed forces. Russia's nuclear arsenal includes air, land, and sea delivery systems.

Mr. Putin's statement came two days after he said Russia will suspend its adherence to some elements of the last remaining nuclear arms-control treaty with the U.S. But these latest moves don't represent a major escalation of the arms race, nuclear experts said.

The Sarmat has been under development for years. And even as Mr. Putin announced he was "suspending [Russia's] participation" in the New START treaty, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue to abide by the accord's core limits on warheads, missiles and bombers.

Sarmat is a large liquid-fueled system. In 2018, Mr. Putin boasted that it would be able to reach any point on the globe. The missile underwent its first test flight last year and is intended to replace the SS-18 ICBM, which has been a mainstay of the Russian strategic nuclear arsenal.

Rob Soofer, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a former senior Pentagon official, said the Sarmat is expected to carry around 10 warheads or Russia's new Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, a type of maneuverable warhead. "The Sarmat reflects the modernization of the Russian nuclear force, but it does not alter the strategic nuclear balance."

Rather, Mr. Putin's speech was intended to shore up his support at home and intimidate the West, he added.

The deployment of the system has been delayed. Mr. Putin in June said he expected the Sarmat to be deployed by the end of 2022. On Thursday, he said the missile will be put on "combat duty" this year.

In addition to the Sarmat, Mr. Putin said full production of the Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic systems would continue. The Kinzhal can accelerate to 10 times the speed of sound and strike targets at a range of over 1,200 miles and can be outfitted with both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing around 1,100 pounds, Russia's state media TASS reported on Thursday.

Russia will also begin mass deployment of Zircon sea-launched hypersonic missiles, Mr. Putin said, and will commission the Borei-A nuclear-powered submarine, Emperor Alexander III, into the Russian navy. As a result of these moves, "the share of modern weapons and equipment in the naval strategic nuclear forces will reach 100%," he said." [1]

 1. Russia to Expand Nuclear Arsenal --- Putin says Moscow to deploy new long-range missiles capable of carrying warheads. Simmons, Ann M; Gordon, Michael R.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 24 Feb 2023: A.10.