Sarmat N Missiles [UPSC Notes]

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict after completing one year without yielding any result, Putin has announced that Russia will deploy Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Sarmat nuclear missiles this year. Know more about Sarmat N Missiles for the IAS exam.

What are Sarmat N Missiles?

• It is also called Satan- II by western countries.
• Sarmat missile is reported to be able to carry ten or more warheads and decoys and has the capability of firing over either of the earth’s poles with a range of 11,000 to 18,000 km.
• It is also expected to pose a significant challenge to the ground-and-satellite-based radar tracking systems of the western powers, particularly the USA. Furthermore,  These are manoeuvrable and hence hard to intercept and they can carry smaller hypersonic boost-glide vehicles.
• The upgraded electronic countermeasures, guidance systems and alternative warhead carrying capacity makes the RS-28 Sarmat ICBM more lethal than the R-36M Voyevoda ICBMs (NATO name Satan) currently in service in Russia.
• This missile can carry ten or more warheads in one go. Hence can easily distract the conventional Radar.
• It is also unique in the way that it uses liquid-fuelled missiles as compared to US’s ICBM which has moved on to solid fuel systems.
• As per its estimated speed and range, it can destroy the USA & London in 6-7 minutes.

Etymology of Sarmat

• Named after nomadic tribes that inhabited the present-day steppes of Southern Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. These tribes had advanced riding and fighting techniques. According to legend, the Sarmatians’ administrative prowess and political knowledge helped them establish vast dominance, and by the fifth century BC, they were in charge of the region between the Urals and the Don River. By the second century, they had nearly all of southern Russia under their control after crossing the Don and defeating the Scythians.

Possible Outcome:

• This step may further lead to the counter-deployment of ICBM by NATO countries in support of Ukraine. 
• Furthermore, It will push the world into the vicious trap of an arms race and may make past treaties irrelevant.

Conclusion: Countries and international organizations need to come forward to check the ongoing scenario of the arms race by giving priority to humanity. However, the world has never been moral as popularly said, “What matters is power and not appeal to justice, even God doesn’t help, only self-help works”. Hence India should also upgrade its ICBM to create deterrence.

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