Russian President Vladimir Putin in the spotlight of the camera while serving an annual question and answer session with the media on Thursday (7/6/2018).
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin confirmed Kinzhal's hypersonic missiles were delivered to the Russian Armed Forces by 2019. The weapon with the Avangard system is claimed to be speeding at Mach 10 and impossible to be intercepted by any air defense system in the world.
Putin delivered it in an annual question and answer session with the media on Thursday. The Russian number one also said that Sarmat's super powerful missile will be in operation by 2020.
"Kinzhal air hypersonic system is a hypersonic missile that flies at Mach 10 and it's already operating in our army in the Southern Federal District," Putin said.
"If someone has doubts about it, he should watch it, we specifically show the launch of this missile," he said,"Secondly, the laser combat system also operates.The Avangard system is in the process of industrial production, it has become a serial production and we plan to ship it to the Armed Forces by 2019," Putin said.
"By 2020, we also plan to provide our most powerful strategic missile complex-the super-powerful Sarmat ballistic missile-to our Armed Forces," he added.
The Russian leader emphasized that Moscow began to develop a breakthrough weapon system in response to a unilateral US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty (ABM Treaty).
According to Putin, Avangard is an intercontinental ballistic missile system that can change lanes with direction and altitude.
"This is an absolute weapon, if we talk about today, more than 20 Mach, twenty speed of sound.I do not think that such weapons will be developed in some other country in the coming years, although they will certainly develop it someday , "Putin said.
"This is a low-flying stealth missile carrying a nuclear warhead, with almost unlimited reach, unexpected trajectory and ability to cross the threshold of interception," Putin added.
"It's unbeatable against all existing and prospective missile defenses and against anti-air defense systems."