Russia tests its ‘most powerful’ Sarmat nuclear-capable ICBM

Europe, News April 21, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Russia conducted a test of its nuclear-capable “Sarmat” Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk region on April 20.

A report released by the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the test was successful. It stated that “Today at 15:12, Moscow time, at the Plesetsk state Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, a Sarmat fixed-based intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully launched from a silo launcher.”

Russia’s new ICBM test comes at a time when the tensions between Russia and NATO are in a full swing. While talking about the ICBM test, Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted that the nuclear-capable missile would make Moscow’s enemies “think twice”.

A televised report showed President Putin attending a briefing from his military officials related to the missile test. “I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile,” he stated after the briefing.

“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,” Putin added.

*^{Russian President Vladimir Putin talks to the media during a news conference in Moscow, Russia, December 16, 2021. (Image Credit: CFP/CGTN)}*

Dmitry Rogozin, who is the head of Russia’s state-owned Roscosmos agency, which oversees the missile factory building the Sarmat, described the test as a “present to NATO”.

According to the U.S. Congressional Research Services report, Russia’s Sarmat ICBM is expected to be deployed with 10 or more warheads on each missile. The missile was under development for years and its launch was expected to occur as tensions escalate in the midst Russia-Ukraine war. Pentagon stated that such a missile test was expected to occur and does not come as a surprise to the U.S.

Moscow properly notified Washington about the test following the obligations under the New Strategic Arms Reduction (START) treaty. The new START treaty was signed between Russia and U.S. in 2010, in order to act as a measure for the reduction and limitation of strategic reduction arms.

*^{The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test in northern Russia on April 20, 2022. (Image Credit: Russian Defense Ministry via Reuters)}*

The U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson John Kirby stated that “the testing is routine and it was not a surprise.” He further added that “Of course, the department remains focused on Russia’s unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.”

Russia’s Sarmat ICMB is set to replace the aging SS-18 and SS-19 missiles. The 35 meters long and 3 meters wide Sarmat missile can hit the target at a distance of 18,000 kilometers. The missile is capable of carrying up to 10 tons of payload that accounts for up to 10 heavy reentry vehicles, each one capable of wiping out an area as big as Texas state or France. It also has the capability of carrying hypersonic glide vehicles which would make it less detectable in a conventional radar system.

On March 2, 2022, Pentagon announced to postpone its Minuteman III ICBM test in order to avoid the escalation of tensions with Russia given the ongoing Ukraine issue. However, after Russia’s new ICBM test, it is expected that the U.S. would also make its ICBM test in the near future.