NationStates Jolt Archive


The Nuclear Arms race is back! Russia tests Missile Defense breaking ICBM.

The Lone Alliance
30-05-2007, 01:00
Russia Says New ICBM Can Beat Any System
Published: 5/29/07, 7:05 PM EDT
By STEVE GUTTERMAN
MOSCOW (AP) - Russia tested new missiles Tuesday that a Kremlin official boasted could penetrate any defense system, and President Vladimir Putin warned that U.S. plans for an anti-missile shield in Europe would turn the region into a "powder keg."

First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said Russia tested an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple independent warheads, and it also successfully conducted a "preliminary" test of a tactical cruise missile that he said could fly farther than existing, similar weapons.

"As of today, Russia has new tactical and strategic complexes that are capable of overcoming any existing or future missile defense systems," Ivanov said, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency. "So in terms of defense and security, Russians can look calmly to the country's future."

Ivanov is a former defense minister seen as a potential Kremlin favorite to succeed Putin next year. Both he and Putin have said repeatedly that Russia would continue to improve its nuclear arsenals and respond to U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic - NATO nations that were in Moscow's front yard during the Cold War as Warsaw Pact members.

Russia has bristled at the plans, dismissing U.S. assertions that the system would be aimed at blocking possible attacks by Iran and saying it would destroy the strategic balance of forces in Europe.

"We consider it harmful and dangerous to turn Europe into a powder keg and to fill it with new kinds of weapons," Putin said at a news conference with visiting Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates.

Russian arms control expert Alexander Pikayev said the new ICBMs appeared to be part of Russia's promised response to the missile defense plans and, more broadly, an effort to "strengthen the strategic nuclear triad - land-based, sea-based and air-based delivery systems for nuclear weapons - which suffered significant downsizing" amid financial troubles after the 1991 Soviet collapse.

The ICBM, called the RS-24, was fired from a mobile launcher at the Plesetsk launch site in northwestern Russia. Its test warhead landed on target some 3,400 miles away on the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, the Strategic Missile Forces said in a statement.

The new missile is seen as eventually replacing the aging RS-18s and RS-20s that are the backbone of the country's missile forces, the statement said. Those missiles are known in the West as the SS-19 Stiletto and the SS-18 Satan.

The RS-24 "strengthens the capability of the attack groups of the Strategic Missile Forces by surmounting anti-missile defense systems, at the same time strengthening the potential for nuclear deterrence," the statement said.

Ivanov said the missile was a new version of the Topol-M, first commissioned in 1997 and known as the SS-27 in the West, but one that that can carry multiple independent warheads, ITAR-Tass reported. Existing Topol-M missiles are capable of hitting targets more than 6,000 miles away.

Pikayev, a senior analyst at the Moscow-based Institute for World Economy and International Relations, said that little had been revealed about the missile's development, but that Russia has been seeking to improve its capability to penetrate missile defense systems and that the new missile would likely answer to that goal.

He said Russia had been working on a version of the Topol-M that could carry MIRVs - Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles - and that its development was probably "inevitable" after the U.S. withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty in 2002 in order to develop a national missile defense.

Pikayev concurred with the missile forces' statement that the RS-24 conforms with terms laid down in the START-I treaty, which is in force, and the 2002 Moscow Treaty, which calls for reductions in each country's nuclear arsenal to 1,700-2,000 warheads.

Ivanov also announced the successful "preliminary" test of an improved tactical cruise missile designed for a mobile Iskander-M launcher, ITAR-Tass reported. Ivanov said last year that Russian ground forces would commission 60 short-range Iskander-M missiles by 2015.

While Ivanov's saber-rattling about missile defense penetration was clearly aimed at the United States - and at Russians who will vote in March for a successor to Putin - he suggested Russia's armament efforts were also aimed to counter a potential treat from the Middle East and Asia.

"We see perfectly how our eastern and southern neighbors here, there and everywhere are acquiring short and medium-range missiles," Ivanov said in televised comments at Kapustin Yar, the southern Russian site where the tactical missiles were tested.

Ivanov said the 1987 Soviet-American treaty limiting such missiles - the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, or INF - is no longer effective because "dozens of countries - many of them along our borders - have acquired them. All of this is a real danger for us, and the consequences can be unpredictable."

He emphasized the need to equip the armed forces with "the most modern, precise weapons" and suggested Russia could arm itself with missiles whose range exceeds the lower limit of 310 miles set in the INF. The ranges of Russia's missiles are "for now within the commitments that Russia has taken upon itself, but I stress: for now," ITAR-Tass quoted him as saying.

Matthew Bunn, a senior research associate at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, said the missile test was "in line with Russia's renewed emphasis in recent years of maintaining their weapons systems after years of decline."

Bunn said he did not think the Russians had planned the test as a reaction to U.S. plans to deploy the missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, although they may have worded Tuesday's announcement to make it appear that way.

"I think if anything, the wording of the announcement may have been changed to emphasize the missile's ability to evade defense systems, but the test was probably planned way before," Bunn said.

Andrew Kuchins, director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the test was Russia's way of showing the U.S. and its own people that it was investing more in national security.

"The Russians have been talking about developing and testing new weapons for years now, so this isn't a surprise. They have a very aging nuclear missile structure and this test fits in with a broader trend of upgrading security," said Kuchins.

"After years of spending little on their military, they're now showing us and showing the Russian population that they're paying more attention to defense."

Russia is also embroiled in a dispute with the West over another Soviet-era arms pact, the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty.

Putin has announced a moratorium on observance of the treaty and threatened to withdraw altogether if the United States and other NATO members do not ratify an 1999 amended version.

Russia said Monday that it lodged a formal request for a conference among treaty signatories in Vienna next week.

___

Associated Press Writer Lily Hindy in New York contributed to this report.
linky (http://home.bellsouth.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=8383&eeid=5231764&_sitecat=1505&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=3&ck=&ch=ne)
I'd like to thank George W. Bush for his role in leaving the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty in 2002 to make basicly uneeded Missile Defenses, then filling Eastern Europe with said Missile defenses for the purpose of upsetting the balance of power. Putin for thinking we're going to invade, and insanity for everything else.

I'm sure defense contractors are happy though.
UNITIHU
30-05-2007, 01:01
Yay! Iron Curtains for all!
Dobbsworld
30-05-2007, 01:01
Aw, that's okay. Just duck and cover. Oh, and remember to paint yourself white in order to deflect the blast.
Hynation
30-05-2007, 01:03
Oh the Nostalgia :)
The_pantless_hero
30-05-2007, 01:15
Let the Cold War recommence!
Volyakovsky
30-05-2007, 01:20
You strongly over-estimate the state of the Russian economy if you believe the Russians are up for another nuclear arms race. They are only just recovering from the collapse of the Soviet Union and they are facing quite severe population problems. The Russians are beginning to re-assert themselves after a decade of impotence but that is all it is: they are simply reminding the world that Russia still exists and should still be a factor in their plans.

So I won't go building the fall-out shelter just yet.
South Lizasauria
30-05-2007, 01:24
linky (http://home.bellsouth.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=8383&eeid=5231764&_sitecat=1505&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=3&ck=&ch=ne)
I'd like to thank George W. Bush for his role in leaving the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty in 2002 to make basicly uneeded Missile Defenses, then filling Eastern Europe with said Missile defenses for the purpose of upsetting the balance of power. Putin for thinking we're going to invade, and insanity for everything else.

I'm sure defense contractors are happy though.

Yay! Iron Curtains for all!

*its the end of the world as we know it* music comes on. :(
Dosuun
30-05-2007, 01:47
You don't seem to understand this but a relaible missile defense system could save a lot of lives so if anything there should be more investment in missile interception systems. You may think that everything from playground fights to war will be the end of the world, that we'd be so much better off without conflict, but you can't just ask some people to play nice and expect them to always comply. Pacifism will get you and everyone around you killed.

And another thing, lots of people seem to have this unfounded phear of all things radioactive. So long as you treat it with the respect it deserves it can't hurt you and it can be harnessed for power generation, transportation, and curing horrible diseases. Opposing the practical application of radioisotopes because you don't like nuclear weapons is about as stupid as opposing medical research because it kills a few animals. If it can save lives and make life easier then opposing it makes you an ignorant, regressive retard.
Minaris
30-05-2007, 02:09
It would be interesting to see Russia try to take another go at a Cold War... probably not before 2020.

So we'll have the US/NATO or whatever would be left/developed by that time and Russia, but also China/India as an entrant. Depending on development, Brazil might try to assert importance, and Iran/NK could possibly have a nuke between them by then. :p And the US could make the "Up Yours, Russia!" statue on the moon since we'd be back up there. :D

This'd be a good book, actually.

Cold War Two: 2020

It'd be interesting to see some work with this issue, keeping in mind that the US would be about recovered from Iraq/Bush and China and/or India would be powers.
The Lone Alliance
30-05-2007, 05:53
Of course then again we're in the same sort of Position the soviets were after throwing tons of equipment away when THEY invaded Afghanstian. We're on the downside as well.

Still Russia is a little short of cash.

The fleets are all rusting in harbor, their Military Vehicles are on Ebay, they have more guns than soldiers, most without a clue on how to use them, and their infastructure is run by criminals.
Kinda Sensible people
30-05-2007, 05:56
I'd love to see an effective international anti-missile sheild. I don't see what is wrong with that. The current implimentation fucking sucks, but the idea is a sound one.
Bosco stix
30-05-2007, 06:02
The russians more than likely don't have the muscle nor the money to even think about competing with the US war machine.
The Brevious
30-05-2007, 06:10
Aw, that's okay. Just duck and cover. Oh, and remember to paint yourself white in order to deflect the blast.

Operation: Human Shield, my ass!
Delator
30-05-2007, 06:44
Russia tested new missiles Tuesday

"We consider it harmful and dangerous to turn Europe into a powder keg and to fill it with new kinds of weapons"

That gets a big fat :rolleyes: from me.
Hamilay
30-05-2007, 06:51
If it gets us a new Red Alert game I'm all for it.

As KSP said, I do like the idea of an anti-missile shield, though.
Marrakech II
30-05-2007, 06:52
Russia is trying to regain it's Soviet era glory. This should be handled carefully but this to me does not seem like an arms race. The US has said time and time again the missile shield can handle a small amount of warheads. Of course firing hundreds if not thousands of missiles can defeat the ABM shield. It wasn't designed for that and the Russians know it. They are just trying to show some strength. I wouldn't worry to much about it and can also tell you this is not even close to the worries of the Cold War. I miss the old air raid sirens of my childhood. The sheer terror that one felt while you can hear them off in the distance just cant be replaced.
The Brevious
30-05-2007, 06:55
I miss the old air raid sirens of my childhood. The sheer terror that one felt while you can hear them off in the distance just cant be replaced.
Nostalgia, as well, for the pattern of gum stuck to the bottom of our desks, and yet *another* run to the bulk foods store later on "just in case".
Good thing you didn't let it affect your political affiliation or anything.
The Lone Alliance
30-05-2007, 08:20
This is Russia acting out because all the Missile shields are making their nuclear 'you know what' look small.
Non Aligned States
30-05-2007, 08:41
This is Russia acting out because all the Missile shields are making their nuclear 'you know what' look small.

The potential for innuendo this one is just too good to past up.

Russian payloads are 'numerous' and are 'advanced'. They can 'penetrate' US 'protection' at its vulnerable spots.

:p
Mesoriya
30-05-2007, 08:44
No matter what Putin says in public, anyone with a working brain cell knows that the Missile Defence program is irrelevant to this Russian test. Everyone from the beginning in NMD has said that this isn't designed to handle, and isn't capable of handling a nuclear attack on the scale that Russia could produce.

I suspect that if this test is intended for foreign consumption at all, it is for Europeans. Putin is anxious to be seen as powerful, especially in Europe.
Southern Winkieland
30-05-2007, 08:57
I've never heard such rubbish. The Russians were bluffing. Those peasants are so drunk on woordka most of the time they couldn't even work out how to build a pony and trap, let alone an ICBM. They wouldn't even eat if it wasn't for the Northern Ireland mercy convoys.

It's the British who should be building more nuclear weapons, and firing them. Now. At the United States. There's a button there, it's there to be pressed. Hallelujah.

Captain Bottle
Honourable Angels
30-05-2007, 09:18
I think the Russians are just compensating for something.
Dobbsworld
30-05-2007, 09:27
I think the Russians are just compensating for something.

*sighs*

Can we all remember to come up with new jokes and innuenndo occasionally, folks - lest we hear this bit and the inevitable Yakov Smirnov crap repeated ad nauseam for the next few pages?
Yootopia
30-05-2007, 11:49
I've never heard such rubbish. The Russians were bluffing. Those peasants are so drunk on woordka most of the time they couldn't even work out how to build a pony and trap, let alone an ICBM. They wouldn't even eat if it wasn't for the Northern Ireland mercy convoys.

It's the British who should be building more nuclear weapons, and firing them. Now. At the United States. There's a button there, it's there to be pressed. Hallelujah.

Captain Bottle
... you're a gimp, fuck off.
The Lone Alliance
30-05-2007, 16:37
I've never heard such rubbish. The Russians were bluffing. Those peasants are so drunk on woordka most of the time they couldn't even work out how to build a pony and trap, let alone an ICBM. They wouldn't even eat if it wasn't for the Northern Ireland mercy convoys.

It's the British who should be building more nuclear weapons, and firing them. Now. At the United States. There's a button there, it's there to be pressed. Hallelujah.

Captain Bottle

WTF? Troll
Risottia
30-05-2007, 16:41
...(omissis)

To sum it up:

Bush: "Nyah, nyah, nyah, no one can hit us! We are the sole superpower!"
Putin: "Nu-nu-nu... oh really."
Risottia
30-05-2007, 16:42
*TROLL ALERT*

I've never heard such rubbish. The Russians were bluffing. Those peasants are so drunk on woordka most of the time they couldn't even work out how to build a pony and trap, let alone an ICBM. They wouldn't even eat if it wasn't for the Northern Ireland mercy convoys.

Whose puppet are you?
Rambhutan
30-05-2007, 16:42
Obligatory *In the Soviet Union ICBMs test you* 'joke'.
Risottia
30-05-2007, 16:44
Russian payloads are 'numerous' and are 'advanced'. They can 'penetrate' US 'protection' at its vulnerable spots.
:p

And the vulnerable spot of the US to the latest Russki ICBMs is about 360° degrees wide on the horizon, 90° wide on the azimuth.
UN Protectorates
30-05-2007, 16:45
The Cold War started again!? Yay! I'm not old enough to have experienced the Cold War intrigue etc. like a few of you old timers may have.

Now I get to defect! For Stalin!

The Poster does not in any way, shape or form endorse or recognise the USSR circa 1921-1991
SaintB
30-05-2007, 16:50
Putin: The Soviet Union did not fall! We have fooled all you stupid Americans!
*Pulls back a greyish colored curtain to reveal massive amounts of soldiers and armor marching down the streets by the red palace*
UN Protectorates
30-05-2007, 16:53
Putin: The Soviet Union did not fall! We have fooled all you stupid Americans!
*Pulls back a greyish colored curtain to reveal massive amounts of soldiers and armor marching down the streets by the red palace*


The Soviet Union rises again! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFemUdYl88s)
SaintB
30-05-2007, 17:20
*Whoot!*

I couldn't find it so I made the closest approximation.
Soleichunn
30-05-2007, 21:03
Putin: The Soviet Union did not fall! We have fooled all you stupid Americans!
*Pulls back a greyish colored curtain to reveal massive amounts of soldiers and armor marching down the streets by the red palace*

I dibbs eastern europe.