The Longest Alert, Lasting a Full Twenty-Two Years, Ignored: A Look Back
In a recent address, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of seeking "unilateral advantage against Russia." This statement comes amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and a delicate balance of nuclear deterrence between the two nations.
The U.S. arsenal, comprising approximately 3,700 nuclear warheads, is one of the world's largest within NATO, alongside France and the United Kingdom. However, Russia holds the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, although the exact number is uncertain due to suspended U.S. inspections since 2020 and Russia’s withdrawal from the New START treaty inspection regime in 2022.
Russia’s arsenal includes advanced nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines armed with multiple warheads, capable of launching massive strikes rapidly. Notable among these are the Delta-IV and Borei-class submarines. The U.S., on the other hand, is grappling with issues in its military equipment, with the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) not working as intended and costing almost as much to operate as a guided missile destroyer.
The U.S. F-35 fighter, a key component of its air force, has 12 "class one" life-threatening defects and 871 "flaws" which must be fixed before it can be deployed as intended. These issues highlight the complexities and challenges faced by both nations in maintaining their military capabilities.
The suspension of arms control inspections and the escalating political tensions between Russia and the U.S. reduce transparency and trust, increasing the risk of miscalculation or escalation. Russia’s maintenance of the largest arsenal and its nuclear posture amid ongoing geopolitical tensions raise concerns about potential nuclear coercion or blackmail.
The speed and stealth of modern Russian ballistic missile submarines add urgency to deterrence strategies, as rapid launch capabilities compress decision times in crisis scenarios. To counter this, Russia is developing strategic arms that do not use ballistic trajectories, such as a new strategic missile system with a gliding wing unit.
In his speech, Putin unveiled the Sarmat missile, a new model of strategic weapon. He also mentioned Russia's strong defense potential and the next few years being decisive. Putin's relations with "many other countries in the world are entering a new dynamic stage." Notably, he spoke of Russia's comprehensive strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China.
Putin's State of the Nation Address also mentioned the increase in the number of long-range high-precision weapons carriers and guided cruise missiles. He committed to "sustainable development for human civilization" and warned that "restrictions and sanctions" introduced against Russia are "illegal from the standpoint of international law."
Putin also spoke of improvements to various weapon systems, including the deployment of 80 new intercontinental ballistic missiles, 102 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and three Borei nuclear ballistic missile submarines. He also mentioned the 12 missile regiments that have received the new Yars intercontinental ballistic missile.
One of Russia's most advanced weapons is the Dagger, a high-precision hypersonic aircraft missile system that can travel at Mach 10. Putin also revealed that nearly two years ago, The Washington Post published a piece on "Putin's dangerous campaign to rehabilitate Stalin."
Putin concluded his address by saying that any use of nuclear weapons against Russia or its allies will be considered as a nuclear attack on this country. This statement underscores the ongoing nuclear tensions between Russia and the U.S., and the need for continued dialogue and arms control measures to maintain global security.
- China's comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, as mentioned by Putin, seems to be a part of a broader geopolitical strategy, considering the ongoing military and political tensions between Russia and the United States.
- In his address, Putin highlighted the advancements in Russia's military capabilities, such as the Sarmat missile and the Dagger, a high-precision hypersonic aircraft missile system, possibly indicating the importance of military strength in influencing global politics.
- As both the U.S. and Russia continue to update their arsenals and investigate potential nuclear coercion or blackmail, it becomes crucial for Russia and China, in their strategic partnership, to consider not just their own military strengths, but also the potential strategies and countermeasures of the United States in the general-news arena.
