Russia Plans New Missile Systems to Counter the U.S. by 2021, Reports Reuters

By Andrew Osborn

Moscow – Russia is accelerating its development of two new land-based missile launch systems in response to the United States’ impending withdrawal from a significant nuclear arms control agreement.

President Vladimir Putin announced over the weekend that Russia has suspended its participation in the Cold War-era Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). This treaty prohibits both countries from deploying short- and intermediate-range land-based missiles within Europe.

Both Moscow and Washington have accused each other of violating the treaty. Putin emphasized that Russia’s suspension of compliance follows the U.S. announcement regarding its withdrawal from the agreement.

The United States has made it clear that it intends to commence research, development, and design efforts for new missile systems, and Putin stated that Russia would follow suit.

In his directives, Putin instructed the Russian military to initiate the creation of land-based launch systems for the existing ship-launched cruise missile, Kalibr, as well as for longer-range hypersonic missiles capable of traveling at least five times the speed of sound.

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu initiated work on these new systems, urging the completion of development by the end of next year to ensure readiness by 2021.

Shoigu, a close ally of Putin, remarked at a meeting of defense officials, "From February 2, the United States suspended its obligations under the INF treaty. At the same time, they are actively engaged in developing a land-based missile with a range exceeding 500 km, which is outside the treaty’s limitations. President Putin has tasked the defense ministry with implementing symmetrical measures."

Moscow has consistently denied any violations of the 1987 treaty, asserting that the U.S. is the party in breach and accusing Washington of fabricating reasons to withdraw from the pact in order to pursue new missile developments. The U.S. government has denied these claims.

U.S. disarmament ambassador Robert Wood informed a Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Tuesday that the United States is open to reconsidering its withdrawal from the INF treaty if Russia returns to full and verifiable compliance. He stated, "This is Russia’s final opportunity to return to compliance."