Just a day after making a highly publicised flight in modernised TU-160 nuclear-capable strategic bomber, Russia’s President Putin warned that 95% of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces and four strategic bombers, were in the hands of the Air Force. It appeared to be a pointed hint to the West that the war in Ukraine had not derailed Russia’s ongoing efforts to modernise its strategic arsenal.
“Today, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the strategic nuclear forces has already reached 95 percent, while the naval component of the “nuclear triad” is at almost 100 percent,” he said.
His remarks were in an address to the nation on Russia’s ‘Defender of the Fatherland Day.’ This is an annual public holiday when the country honours the armed forces. A copy of his speech was put up on the Kremlin website.
Putin also made mention of the new weapons and platforms entering service with the military.
“We have begun serial production of new Zircon hypersonic missiles. Trials of other offensive systems are nearing completion. Last December, new strategic submarines were added to the navy. Just the other day in Kazan, four Tu-160M missile carriers were transferred to the Armed Forces.”
Putin also mentioned that AI technologies would be incorporated into the Armed Forces. “Next in line is the development and serial production of promising models, the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies in the military sphere,” he said. The West is listening.
