Russia Unveils 18,000-Km Range Hypersonic Missile Impervious to Interception

Rapid Summary

• RS-28 Sarmat Missile: Known as ‘Satan 2’ by NATO, it is Russia’s super-heavy, liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• Specifications:

– Range: Approximately 18,000 km.
– Weight: 208 tonnes; Length: 35 meters.- Payload Capacity: Can carry up to 10-15 nuclear warheads using MIRV technology or Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles capable of mid-flight course changes.

• Capabilities: estimated speed over Mach 20 (top hypersonic). Hard for customary radar and warning systems to detect. Outperforms US’s Minuteman III and China’s DF-41 in range and payload capacity.
• Progress: Began in early 2000s; frist successful test conducted on April 20, 2022. Designed by Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau as a replacement for Soviet-era SS-18 Satan missiles.
• Strategic Role: Contributes to Russia’s deterrence strategy amid rising tensions with the West and enhanced US military presence near Russian waters.

(Image of RS-28 Sarmat ICBM from the source):
!RS-28 Sarmat ICBM)

Indian Opinion Analysis

The RS-28 Sarmat underscores the shifting dynamics in global security with advancements in missile technology signaling an increasingly multipolar world order. While India is not directly affected by this development-given it’s non-alignment stance-it may need to consider the implications for strategic partnerships with both Western powers and Russia amidst heightened global tensions.

India’s focus should be on strengthening its own defense capabilities while maintaining diplomatic neutrality. Hypersonic missiles like RS-28 raise concerns about arms races potentially destabilizing regions globally, including South Asia-home to multiple nuclear-capable states. This technological leap reiterates India’s need for an updated early-warning system against high-speed threats while emphasizing the importance of pursuing international efforts toward arms control agreements.

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