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RUSSIA IS AHEAD IN THE HYPERSONIC ARMS The next great arms race has well and truly
RACE, BUT CHINA AND THE U.S. ARE WORKING begun, with Russia claiming the bragging
OVERTIME TO BRIDGE THE GAP rights.
On December 27, just days after Putin’s
announcement, the country’s defence minis-
Arun Sivasankaran
try announced that Russia's first regiment of
One can fault Russian President Vladimir Putin for many things, but Avangard hypersonic missiles had entered ser-
sense of timing isn’t one of them. Even as the world soaked up the vice. The nuclear-capable missiles, which Putin
holiday mood with just over a week to go for the new year, Putin had earlier likened to a meteorite, have an inter-
announced that Russia had become the only country in the world continental range and are capable of traveling
to deploy hypersonic weapons. For a country that had to follow in 27 times the speed of sound. The Avangard’s
the footsteps of the United States in building strategic bombers and ability to change course and altitude on its ways
intercontinental ballistic missiles, being the first country to develop to its target makes it virtually impossible for
a new class of strike weapons was a mammoth achievement. Putin the enemy to intercept it, claims Russia. “It’s a
knew it, and he wanted the world to take notice. weapon of the future, capable of penetrating
both existing and prospective missile defense
“NOW WE HAVE A SITUATION THAT IS UNIQUE systems,” says Putin.
IN MODERN HISTORY WHEN THEY (THE UNITED Avangard isn’t the only hypersonic missile that
STATES) ARE TRYING TO CATCH UP TO US,” Russia has in its arsenal. In August last year,
Putin said. it showcased the ‘Kinzhal’ (Dagger) Nuclear-
“NOT A SINGLE COUNTRY HAS HYPERSONIC Capable Air-Launched Ballistic Missile at an air
WEAPONS, LET ALONE HYPERSONIC WEAPONS OF show in the country. In July 2018, the country’s
INTERCONTINENTAL RANGE.” MoD had released a video showing a Kinzhal

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