Russian President Vladimir Putin said this Friday (23) that 95% of Russia's strategic nuclear forces have been modernized and that the Air Force has just received four new nuclear-capable supersonic bombers.
Putin made the comments in a recorded speech to mark Russia's Defender of the Fatherland Day, which celebrates the armed forces, a day after he flew a modernized nuclear-capable strategic bomber called the Tu-160M.
On the eve of the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, the Russian leader praised soldiers fighting in what he called a “special military operation,” hailing them as heroes fighting for “truth and justice.”
He also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the foot of the Kremlin wall to honor those who died in battle.
He devoted much of his speech to what he said were the achievements of the military-industrial complex.
Its message: that Russia's nuclear triad – its land, sea and air strategic nuclear capabilities – has been upgraded, constantly modernized and in good order.
“Incorporating our real combat experience, we will continue to strengthen the Armed Forces in every way possible, including continued re-equipment and modernization efforts,” Putin said.
“Today, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the strategic nuclear forces has already reached 95%, while the naval component of the 'nuclear triad' is almost 100%,” he added.
Putin said Russia had started serial production of its new Zircon hypersonic missiles and that new attack systems, which he did not specify, were being tested.
New strategic submarines had been added to the navy, and four nuclear-capable Tu-160M bombers of the type he flew this Thursday (23) had just been delivered to the armed forces.
“Next in line is the development and serial production of promising models, the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies into the military sphere,” he said.
Putin has often said that Russia's latest generation of advanced weapons is unmatched by any rival, but some of its new systems have seen delays in testing and deployment.
Last month, the head of the company that makes the Zircon hypersonic missile was quoted by state media as saying that putting it into service was “not a quick procedure” and would involve “a certain amount of testing.”
During the course of the war in Ukraine, Putin repeatedly reminded the West of Russia's nuclear capabilities.
The plane he flew on Thursday (23) is capable of carrying 12 cruise missiles or 12 short-range nuclear missiles and can fly 12,000 km (7,500 miles) without stopping to refuel.
Putin described it as new and reliable after a 30-minute demonstration flight that a state TV reporter called a “unique event.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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