Russia Wants Hypersonic Missiles To Replace Its Fleet Of ICBMs

© Sergey Kazak/TASS

The Warzone/The Drive: Russia Halts Years of Work On Ballistic Missile To Pay For Hypersonic Weapons

Less than a month after announcing a flurry of new strategic weapons, the Kremlin has effectively canceled one for the foreseeable future.

Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned it in a provocative speech, Russia has reportedly decided shelve development of its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile system and focus on fielding the nuclear-armed Avangard hypersonic boost glide vehicle using other designs. The decision suggests the Kremlin may feel the hypersonic weapon is more valuable than the missile carrying it, but also raises questions about whether the country has the necessary funds to support its broader strategic plans.

On March 22, 2018, Russian state-run news outlet TASS reported that development of the RS-26 was no longer a feature of the state armament plan for 2018 to 2027. In an annual state of the union address on March 1, 2018, Putin had said that the road-mobile Rubezh would be the primary launch vehicle for Avangard. The country had previously used the latter name to refer to the entire development program, including the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) component.

Read more ....

Update: Avangard hypersonic missiles replace Rubezh ICBMs in Russia’s armament plan through 2027 (TASS)

WNU Editor: Why the cancellation of one missile program and the focus on hypersonic delivery systems .... it is all about the money .... Russia to cut defense spending, capital construction outlays, vows presidential aide (TASS).