The RS-28 Sarmat is Russia's next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that is set to become the backbone of the country's silo-based strategic deterrent.
With its impressive range and destructive power, the Sarmat is considered one of the deadliest nuclear missiles in the world.
Sputnik India explains what is Rs-28 Sarmat and why it sends shivers through western media outlets, who often refeer to it as 'Satan II'.
The Birth of the Sarmat
The development of the Sarmat missile can be traced back to 2011 when the Makeyev Design Bureau initiated the initial work on this groundbreaking weapon.
However, it was the political events of 2014, such as the Maidan coup d'etat in Kiev, that significantly accelerated the project. The coup severed Russia's collaboration with Ukraine's military-industrial complex, which had previously been responsible for the creation of heavy, long-range strategic missiles.
Unleashing the Devil: What Is RS-28 Sarmat?
The RS-28 Sarmat is a three-stage, liquid-fueled ICBM equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
The missile can be armed with 10-15 warheads or a combination of warheads and countermeasures, including dummy warheads to confuse enemy missile defenses.
Additionally, the Sarmat can carry up to two dozen Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, making it an even more formidable weapon.
Sarmat's Response to Prompt Global Strike
The Sarmat missile system is Russia's response to the Prompt Global Strike (PGS) concept developed by Pentagon planners.
PGS proposes preemptive conventional massed cruise missile strikes to disarm an adversary and eliminate its leadership. This concept, unveiled after the US withdrew from the Antiballistic Missile Treaty with Russia in 2002, prompted Moscow to develop advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles and glide vehicles, and ultimately, the Sarmat.
Russia aims to deter any potential surprise attacks by showcasing its devastating response capabilities.
Who Coined the Name 'Satan II'?
While NATO designates the Sarmat missile as the 'SS-X-29' or 'SS-X-30', Western media has often referred to it as 'Satan II'.
This name is derived from the NATO reporting name 'SS-18 Satan', which was used for the R-36M missile system that the Sarmat is set to replace.
The 'Satan II' moniker plays on the terrifying associations of evil and suffering, capturing the attention of the media and the public.
US Minuteman vs. Russian Sarmat
In terms of comparison with the US strategic missile system, the Minuteman LGM-30 is the closest counterpart to the Sarmat.
The Sarmat gives Russia an edge in terms of its extended range and payload capacity.