Russia Perfects Its Nuclear Triad: Nonstop Drills Begin to Get Strategic Missile Defenses Ready
Russia continues perfecting its nuclear triad. On Wednesday, the strategic missile submarine cruiser "Yury Dolgorukiy" conducted a training in the waters of the White Sea. For the first time ever, 4 ballistic missiles "Bulava" were concurrently launched while submerged. After the alert, the crew of the submarine acts accurately and seamlessly.
– Comrade Captain, all submarine compartments are battle-ready, all are present.
– Heading 80 degrees.
– Depth 45 meters, the submarine holds the depth.
– 3, 2, 1, 0.
– Silo 1 launch confirmed.
4 missiles, one after another, leave the silos, leaving clouds of smoke and fire. Straight white lines in the blue sky, stretching off into the distance. The Ministry of Defense confirmed: all the missiles precisely hit all the appointed targets on the Kura Missile Test Range in the Kamchatka Krai. It is certainly a great success of the Russian designers and military.
"Yury Dolgorukiy" is the forerunner of the project 955 Borei. A 4th generation atomic submarine. It can submerge up to 450 meters, the underwater speed is 29 knots, it can cruise independently for up to 90 days. The crew consists of 107 people. The captain – captain I rank Vladimir Shirin. The submarine missile carrier can carry up to 16 intercontinental missiles "Bulava". They can be launched in one salvo if needed.
"Bulava" is a feared weapon. The development of a three-stage, solid propellant ballistic missile started 20 years ago, then a succession of lucky and failed tests of "Bulava". In 2013, the new missile was finally given to the Russian Navy, at the same time with integration to the Navy of the lead strategic missile cruiser "Yury Dolgorukiy". The range of "Bulava" is up to 11000 kilometers. So it reaches any point on the Earth. Each missile can carry from 6 to 10 hypersonic MIRV warheads, which can adjust their flight trajectory. So it means, that "Bulava" is almost invincible to the foreign air and missile defense systems.
Till 2020, the Russian Navy should receive 8 more Borei class submarines, armed with "Bulava". And together they will form the naval part of the Russian nuclear forces for the next 30-40 years. Thus, the strategic parity with the USA will be assured for many years to come.