On January 29, Russia conducted the first test launch of its nuclear-powered 9M730 Burevestnik (SSC-X-9 “SKYFALL”) cruise missile in almost a year at the Kapustin Yar missile test range, near the western Kazakhstan border. The Burevestnik is reported to have a nuclear reactor powering its engine, a feature that has yet to be fielded by...
On February 1, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty, effective February 2, and will leave the Treaty completely six months following if Russia does not return to “full and verifiable compliance” within that period. “Russia has jeopardized the United States’ security interests,...
On December 23, Russia conducted a test launch of its new anti-satellite missile system, the PL-19 Nudol, from a mobile ground launcher, according to a U.S. intelligence report. On January 18, two unnamed intelligence sources familiar with the report told U.S. media that the missile flew for 17 minutes and around 3,000 km before falling...
On January 8, Russia’s TASS news agency reported that Russia is developing a new 4,500 km range variant of the Kalibr land-attack cruise missile. According to an unnamed source in the Russian military-industrial complex, the longer range Kalibr-M is in early development and is planned to be deployed on frigates, nuclear submarines, and other surface...
On December 26, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will deploy its Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle in 2019. President Putin’s announcement came following a successful Avangard test launch that same day, marking what appears to be the missile’s fourteenth flight test. The Avangard was one of six “next generation” weapons unveiled by Russian President Vladimir...
Reports in late December suggest China conducted its first ballistic intercept test of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf (SA-21 “Growler”) in November at an undisclosed location. The S-400 reportedly intercepted a supersonic ballistic missile target 250 km away. The People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force (PLARF) also tested jamming equipment in conjunction with the intercept test. Details...
On December 17, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov confirmed to local media that Russia’s 9K720 Iskander-M SRBM “has proved to be effective” in the Syrian war. He also confirmed the use of the Tornado-G and Smerch multiple launch rocket systems, the Pantsir-S missile, and other anti-aircraft missile systems. Borisov’s statements affirm multiple unconfirmed reports...
On December 5, Russian news outlet Kommersant reported that Moscow will not authorize the sale of its Bal-E coastal defense system and 3M24 missiles to Azerbaijan. The report cited several unnamed Russian Defense officials who indicated the negotiation for the weapons system was discontinued over concerns that the 120 km range missiles might threaten Russia’s...
On December 6, forces of Russia’s Eastern Military District tested an Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile against a fortified target at a distance of 80 km. The test took place at the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan Region which extends from outside Volgograd to the Caspian Sea. Related Links Russia’s Iskander-M units hold operational...
On December 1, the Russian Defense Ministry press service reported the successful test of a new anti-ballistic missile, conducted by a combat unit of Russia’s Air Defense and Missile Defense Forces at the Sary-Shagan Range in Kazakhstan. Quoted by the press service, Missile Defense Task Force Commander Sergei Grabchuk stated that “the new antimissile missile...
