Why Nuclear Weapons Continue to be Central to Putin and Russia

The Interpreter A special project of Institute of Modern Russia ^ | December 16, 2013 | Andrew Bowen

[WhiskeyX]

The majority of Russia’s ICBMs are reaching the end of their service life, meaning that the deployment and modernization of current and new missiles is crucial to maintaining Russia’s nuclear capabilities. Currently, a majority of Russia’s ICBM consists of older SS-18, SS-19 and SS-25 ICBMs which have been in service since the USSR. Russia is set to replace these older missiles with newer and more advanced 108 RS-24 Yars-M (SS-29), Topol-Ms (SS-27)(mobile and silo-based), as well as 30 SS-19 in nine divisions by 2016.

ICBMs are not the only part of Russia’s attempts to retain its nuclear posture. ICBMs form one part of what is known as a nuclear triad, the key concept behind maintaining an effective nuclear deterrent and response. The other two parts are air and submarine launched nuclear weapons. Russia has plans to build eight new Borei class nuclear submarines that will form the core of its sea-based nuclear deterrent and replace the ageing Typhoon, Delta III and IV class submarines. Each Borei is equipped with 16 (later versions may have up to 20) new Bulava SLBM (submarine launched ballistic missile). However, the Bulava has run into significant technical delays and problems, leading to its deployment on the Borei being postponed with no more tests scheduled until later in 2014. Additionally, Russia is putting priority on the development of a new long range bomber, the PAK-DA, to replace its ageing fleet of Tu-95MS Bear and Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers. These will be equipped with new Kh-101 and Kh-102 (nuclear) cruise missiles, increasing their range up to 6,000 miles. Tactical nuclear weapons can also be configured to be loaded onto the new Su-34 fighter bombers recently introduced into service.

[SeeSharp]

As much as Russia—and Putin—desire to return to great power status, they fear being outpaced by other powers faster than they can increase their capabilities.

Exactly the situation Nicholas II faced at the beginning of the twentieth century.

[DB]

Russia is its own worst enemy...

Will they ever figure that out???

[McGruff]

At the expanded meeting of the Defense Ministry on December 10, Putin detailed the efforts at modernizatsiia, mentioning that Russia is set to receive 40 advanced and upgraded ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile).

Question. How many new ones we building?

[Chainmail]

Anybody notice how quiet 0bama and his media have been about the Russian violations of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty among others lately? The consequences of weak leadership is failure. This is a failure we can’t survive.

[WhiskeyX]

“Question. How many new ones we building?”

None. The Minuteman III Missiles (MM3) introduced in 1970 are planned to remain in service into the year 2030. The U.S. Air Force has made proposals to modernize some of the MM3 features and systems, but is still seeking appropriations from the U.S. Congress, particularly the Democrat controlled Senate, in order to do so. Instead, the Obama Administration has been focused on unilaterally retiring U.S. nuclear weapons systems.

Proposals to replace the minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile systems with an all new ICBM have been rejected so far, because the projected cost of replacing the Minuteman III ICBM force with a new ICBM is expected to b three times the cost of modernizing the existing Minuteman III ICBM force.

[BobL]

Since our nukes LAST FOREVER, and we have Estonia as an ally for “boots on the ground” in Europe (to keep Russia in check), there is NO REASON for us to modernize anything, at all. In fact, we can just keep SLASHING our military budget for years and years to come, while at the same time threatening nuclear war with Russia over Ukraine.

...at least according to one troll on this site.

[ansel12]

Since he lacks muscle in the military department, Putin has to remind everyone that they also have nukes.

Putin has little to work with, but plays to the naive and gullible, the low information people, to give the impression that Russia is still similar in power to when it had it’s empire, that Reagan destroyed and helped add to NATO.

[free_life]

The first PAK-DA won’t test fly for 5 years. Rumours of design problems may delay that date.