The latest strategic missile system known as Sarmat has entered active service, a milestone announced by Yuri Borisov, head of Roscosmos, during the widely attended Share Your Knowledge marathon. The message was clear: the Sarmat project has been deployed to its combat duty cycle, reinforcing Russia’s strategic deterrence capabilities with immediate effect.
In official terms, the Sarmat system represents a fifth-generation, silo-based strategic deterrent. It centers on a heavy, multi-stage liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile designed to operate from stationary launch facilities. The system is intended to succeed the legacy Voevoda missiles, updating Russia’s long-range strike capabilities with greater survivability and range. Analysts view the new missile as a crucial component of national defense planning, contributing to security assurances anticipated over the coming decades.
Earlier in June, President Vladimir Putin signaled ongoing enhancements to Russia’s strategic forces, outlining renewed investment in the missile program and confirming that both air and maritime branches within the strategic nuclear forces are being replenished in line with established plans. The statements reflect an overarching strategy to modernize the country’s nuclear triad while maintaining readiness across multiple platforms and delivery modes.
Remarks from former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the early deployment phase underscore a sustained emphasis on rapid readiness and modernization. The deployment of the Sarmat system aligns with broader national defense objectives, reinforcing air, sea, and land-based elements of Russia’s deterrence posture. This progress is tracked by defense observers and commentators as part of ongoing assessments of strategic stability in the region.