How Vladimir Putin is squaring up to the world with ‘my weapon’s bigger than yours’ boast
VLADIMIR Putin has ramped up Russia’s bid to build an “unstoppable” arsenal of superfast missiles – goading Britain into a terrifying new nuclear arms race.
The ruthless strongman has personally overseen the development of an array of hypersonic weapons which fly at up to 20 times the speed of sound.
And rising tensions stoked by his sabre-rattling bullying in Ukraine have forced Boris Johnson to U-turn on long-standing disarmament pledges for the first time in more than 30 years.
Britain’s limit on stocks of our ageing Trident nuclear warheads are to be ramped up from 180 to 260.
But experts say the planned £10billion rearmament – ordered as 10,000 UK troops are set to be axed to the lowest manpower levels in 300 years – will do nothing to deter Putin.
And his weaponry appears to be light years ahead of his rivals’ amid soaring tension and uncertainty in the face of the Covid crisis and vicious trade wars.
Here is a terrifying snapshot of the latest additions to Russia’s awesome armoury.
Avangard
Missile system with a hypersonic glide vehicle which strikes “like a meteorite” and is said to be unstoppable.
It moves at 20 times the speed of sound and can strike any target in the world in less than 30 minutes.
Burevestnik
THIS low-flying stealth cruise missile is said to be incapable of interception and can deliver nuclear warheads anywhere around the globe.
Putin says it has “unlimited range”.
Its name means “Storm-bringer.”
Robot tank
WAR-TESTED in Syria, the Uran-9 unmanned tank is remote-controlled with a 30mm cannon and anti-tank guided missiles.
It is designed for destroying enemy vehicles and also features rocket flame throwers.
Zircon
MISSILE with a top speed of more than 6,100mph is Putin’s weapon of choice to wipe out American cities in a nuclear war.
He saw one tested for him at a launch laid on for him “as a birthday treat ”.
Kinzhal
THE name means dagger.
The missile flies at ten times the speed of sound, has a range of 1,250 miles and Moscow boasts it has no match in the West.
Ten aircraft with Kinzhals have been on duty in southern Russia.
Poseidon
AN atomic-powered underwater drone deployed as a giant nuclear-capable torpedo.
It moves through the sea at 125mph using a top secret propulsion system and is said to be lethal against aircraft carriers.
Satan 2
BIGGEST beast in Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
188-tonne missile has an 11,000-mile range, can evade the United States’ defence shield and is capable of destroying an area the size of England and Wales.
Kalashnikov guided missile
THE new 9M333 guided missile destroys low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones.
It finds targets without additional missile guidance after launch or being in their line of sight.
Sprut-SDM1
RUSSIA’S unique 'flying and swimming tank' is undergoing tests.
Video shows the lightweight vehicle blasting targets from the water, giving Russian forces a key edge on Nato rivals in Europe.
Stealth drone
THE Okhotnik – meaning Hunter – is said to be virtually undetectable and can fly from Moscow to London and back on a single mission.
It can be a spy in the sky or fire missiles working with an Su-30SM fighter jet.
Novichok cocktail
CHEMICAL experts are developing a more deadly form of Novichok.
Putin was said to have been furious that the nerve agent failed to kill Sergei Skripal in the 2018 Salisbury poisoning.
Stealth fighter
Russia’s newest fifth generation Su-57 stealth fighter is designed to carry the Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
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Viewed as one of the most lethal warplanes ever built.
A total of 67 Su-57s are due to be delivered by 2028.
