Russia officially placed its RS-28 Sarmat ICBM missile system on combat duty.

In a significant move that underscores Russia's commitment to fortifying its strategic nuclear capabilities, Russia has officially placed its RS-28 Sarmat strategic missile system on combat duty. The announcement was made by Yuri Borisov, the head of the Russian state space corporation, Roscosmos, on September 1, 2023.
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The RS-28 Sarmat is the latest generation of ICBM InterContinental Ballistic Missile developed by the Russian defense industry. (Picture source Russian MoD)

The RS-28 Sarmat, often referred to as Russia’s next-generation InterContinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), has undergone rigorous testing throughout 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a statement last December, emphasized the nation's intent to maintain combat readiness and enhance its nuclear triad, terming it as the primary safeguard of Russia's sovereignty.

The RS-28 Sarmat is a colossal missile system, boasting an intercontinental liquid-fueled ballistic missile that weighs in excess of 200 tonnes. It is set to replace the Voevoda missiles, colloquially known as the 'Satan' missiles, in Russia's strategic arsenal. This missile is designed to hit distant targets using a variety of flight paths.

The Russian Defense Ministry has confidently stated that the Sarmat can bypass any current and prospective missile defense systems, and its unmatched target engagement range further augments the combat prowess of Russia's strategic nuclear forces. The RS-28 Sarmat project's experimental development commenced in 2011, and the missile's inaugural test launch was successfully executed in April 2022.

The RS-28 Sarmat missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art control system, allowing it to stay its course even when confronted by anti-missile projectiles. This was disclosed by Vladimir Degtyar, the chief designer at the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau, the institution responsible for the RS-28's development. Furthermore, the missile's onboard flight control system can adjust its trajectory using GLONASS, Russia's answer to the GPS, ensuring unparalleled targeting accuracy, even post-impact from an air defense missile.

With a staggering range of 18,000 km, the Sarmat can target virtually any location globally. Additionally, the missile's warheads are equipped with specialized equipment, making their trajectory calculations challenging for adversaries and rendering them hard to detect during flight, both within and beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Defense News September 2023