Russia reveals new images of Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile

On 19 July, the official Facebook account of Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation posted a video showing the newest Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile.

The MoD released video showing the liquid-fueled, MIRV-equipped, superheavy thermonuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile is developed to replace the old SS-18 Satan missile.

According to the official statement, the program for the deployment of the Sarmat missile system is synchronized in time with the gradual withdrawal of its predecessor, the R-36M2 Voevoda missile system, also known as the SS-18 Satan.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

The energy capabilities of the Sarmat missile system make it possible to use an extended range of combat capability on the missile. It can carry combat blocks of small, medium, high or large power classes.

President Vladimir Putin early said that delivery of the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile to Russia’s military is scheduled for 2020.

“The systems, which will beef up our strategic forces in the foreseeable future, I mean, first of all, the Sarmat system, which is to be delivered to the troops in 2020, the Avangard system, the delivery of which is scheduled for 2019, and other systems are being tested according to the original schedule,” – said Vladimir Putin during a meeting with top military and defence industry officials in Sochi on 18 May.

The serial production of the Sarmat missile would probably be conducted at the Krasmash factory in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk.

Developed by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau, the new hypersonic Sarmat missile is capable of striking targets both via the North and the South Poles.

“The missile’s uniquely cross-functional combat platform allows the use of all types of individually targeted warheads, including ones which are still on the drawing board,” Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces Commander, Col. Gen. Karatayev.

According to the Center’s Missile Defense Project, the Sarmat as being able to carry 10 large warheads, 16 smaller ones, a combination of warheads and countermeasures, or up to 24 YU-74 hypersonic boost-glide vehicles.

That means one Satan 2 ICBM could pack as much as eight megatons of TNT-equivalent explosive power.

The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is small enough to fit into existing missile silos with minimum modifications to launch area infrastructure.

If you would like to show your support for what we are doing, here's where to do it.

If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form.

Executive Editor

About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

TRENDING NOW

Russia’s warship fires at German military helicopter

A Russian warship opened fire on a German military helicopter conducting a reconnaissance mission, according to Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The incident has drawn...