Sarmat is a heavy Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defence
The President of Russia – Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow enemies will now “think twice” after Russia successfully tested the Sarmat Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
In a televised address to the nation, Putin has that the missile was launched from Plesetsk in Russia’s Northwest and hit the targets in the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far East, nearly 6,000 kms. (3,700 miles) away.
Russia is planning to deploy Sarmat with 10 or more warheads on each missile. It has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defence. It has no analogues in the world and won’t have for a long time to come.
Congratulating the army, Putin said, “I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.”
He further said, “This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats, and make those who – in the heat of aggressive rhetoric – try to threaten our country think twice.”
This comes at a time when Russia has renewed offensive in Eastern Ukraine. It invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, the United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.), European Union (E.U.) have imposed several economic sanctions on Russia. They have also been supplying weapons to Ukraine to help them protect their sovereignty. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has also criticised Russia for its invasion. Russia has also warned that it will not spare the nations supplying weapons to Ukraine.
With Sarmat’s successful testing, Russia has warned the West that it is capable of meting out “crushing retribution that will put an end to the history of any country that has encroached on the security of Russia and its people.”
Russia has also informed the U.S. about Sarmat following its obligations under the 2011 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) Treaty, a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the two nations. It was signed on April 8, 2010, in Prague and, after ratification, entered into force on February 5, 2011. It is expected to last until February 5, 2026, having been extended in 2021. The treaty calls for halving the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers.
It has been under development for years and so its test launch is not a surprise for the West. The testing got delayed due to funding and design challenges. More tests would be needed before Russia could actually deploy it in place of ageing SS-18 and SS-19 missiles that were well past their sell-by date.
