Russian President Vladimir Putin encouraged local defense and aerospace firms this week to manufacture more advanced hypersonic missiles and high-energy laser weapons for the country’s armed forces.
During a recent meeting with Russian officials, Putin said he wants to maintain the nation’s edge in military technologies. He also lauded new Russian weapons, including the Avangard and Kinzhal hypersonic weapons and the Peresvet laser system.
Meanwhile, a government official revealed that another Russian hypersonic missile intended to arm cruisers, frigates, and submarines is nearing test completion and will be available for the navy next year. He said the weapon could fly at nine times the speed of sound and hit targets up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) away.
Putin described the new weapon systems as a “breakthrough” to ensure Russia’s security for many years.
“It’s particularly important to develop technologies for creating new hypersonic weapons, high-energy lasers, and robotic complexes that would be capable of efficiently countering potential military threats and further strengthen the country’s security,” he explained, as quoted by the Associated Press.
In addition to missiles and laser weapons, Putin urged local manufacturers to continue developing other cutting-edge armaments for the military.
Other Cutting-Edge Systems
On Wednesday, deputy chief of the Russian Army Main Staff for Reconnaissance Major General Alexei Belousov said that the country’s reconnaissance units would begin receiving the latest real-time battlefield coordination system.
He explained that the system has been integrated with all the latest communications equipment, including a drone, to enable squads to identify enemy positions and increase personnel survivability.
Aside from coordination systems, Russia has developed robotic platforms such as the Marker robot, capable of combating enemy drones. The Marker can identify intruders such as unauthorized individuals, motor vehicles, and aerial vehicles.