Russia’s ‘invulnerable’ N-missile ready to deploy, says Vladimir Putin

Moscow: Russia’s new hypersonic missile system, which Moscow claims is “invulnerable” to the US defences, will enter service in 2019, President Vladimir Putin said after conducting a test of the missile. The Avangard hypersonic system was tested from the Dombarovsky military airbase in southwest Russia, Putin was cited as saying on Wednesday by the state-run Tass news service. “Starting from next year, a new intercontinental strategic system Avangard will enter service in the Russian Army and the first regiment in the Strategic Missile Troops will be deployed,” he said.

“Russia is the first in the world to receive a new type of strategic weapon and this will reliably ensure the security of our state and of our people for decades to come,” Putin added. Earlier reports said that the Avangard had intercontinental range and the ability to fly as fast as Mach 20, more than 15,000 miles per hour. As it closes in on its target, the missile with a maneuverable gliding warhead can adjust both altitude and direction to avoid defences and fly low enough to avoid most interceptors, Tass said. The US said that Russia violated the INF when it developed and fielded the 9M729 missile system in 2017. Russia denies violating the pact. (IANS)

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