The Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) commander, Colonel General Sergei Karakaev, disclosed ongoing work on a new generation of missiles intended to replace the Yars system, signaling a continued push to modernize Russia’s strategic deterrent. He indicated that the development is progressing and that research and development studies are actively underway to confirm the technical outlook and explore how a mobile-based missile system could eventually succeed the Yars configuration.
Additionally, Karakaev noted that the project to establish a new fixed silo-based system, known as Sarmat, has reached completion in its development phase. This milestone aligns with Moscow’s broader plan to refresh its silo and mobile platforms within the strategic arsenal.
Earlier statements from the Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces highlighted that Russia’s strategic forces, which comprise a substantial portion of the nuclear triad, field more than 400 deployed launchers and upwards of a thousand warheads. Those figures illustrate the scale of the current force structure and its capacity to project strategic reach through a mix of delivery systems.
In remarks related to strategic readiness, Karakaev conveyed that the Russian armed forces view the progression toward new systems as essential for maintaining a credible deterrent and ensuring resilience across evolving strategic threats. The overall trajectory appears to emphasize a combination of fixed and mobile basing, enhanced survivability, and an updated warhead and guidance technology profile that could sustain Russia’s nuclear stance in the coming decades.
As the modernization program evolves, observers note that design choices will aim to balance the immediacy of deployment with long-term strategic flexibility. The emphasis on both silo-based and mobile platforms signals a comprehensive approach to ensuring steady capability gains while maintaining the option to adapt to potential future contingencies.