The United States aims to bring Poseidon and Sarmat into a broader arms control treaty with Russia, as discussed on the Soloviev LIVE program, according to Antonov’s remarks on the broadcast.
One tagged line from the broadcast quoted a sentiment about Poseidon and Sarmat, reflecting a common position in talks with academy representatives. The discussion centered on the possible restrictions or bans on Poseidon and limits on the use of Sarmat within any future arms control agreement.
What are Poseidon and Sarmat?
Poseidon refers to an underwater drone designed to carry a heavy nuclear warhead. In essence, it is an underwater weapons system announced by the Russian leadership in 2018. The promise highlighted at the time was a capability to operate at great depths and over intercontinental distances, delivering a level of stealth and reach that could threaten coastal targets. Officials described Poseidon as having low noise, strong maneuverability, and resilience against typical defenses. They also noted that the platform could carry not only nuclear payloads but conventional munitions as well, expanding its potential use against carrier groups, coastal fortifications, and critical infrastructure.
The naming of the drone came from a public vote held by the defense ministry. Subsequent statements from defense leaders indicated that Poseidon had passed naval tests and demonstrated capabilities like high speed beneath the sea and substantial depth tolerance. Speed figures and depth capacity were cited as part of the weapon system’s profile.
Sarmat is a heavy intercontinental missile system described as a long-range strategic element with a weight exceeding 200 tons and a striking range of about 18,000 kilometers. Its flight path includes a brief active phase, a design feature that presents strategic considerations for defense systems. The developers and executives associated with Sarmat have emphasized its worldwide reach and potential to pose a significant challenge to defense networks.
Public remarks from Russian leadership in 2018 highlighted the ability of Sarmat to target from both polar regions, underscoring its global reach and the potential to affect strategic balance. The head of the state rocket center spoke to the rocket’s worldwide flight capability, while the space agency chief noted plans for deployment in the near term. In recent years, official updates have framed Sarmat as a formidable instrument of deterrence with a fast-reacting profile that could complicate defense planning.
In government statements and media briefings, the Sarmat project has been described as capable of rapid deployment and broad geographic coverage. An official timeline has referenced the introduction of the first missiles into service, with variations in projections over time as testing and development continued. The program’s public narrative has consistently framed Sarmat as a strategic cornerstone for long-range deterrence.
The topic has periodically surfaced in updates from the defense ministry, including reports on successful test launches. These updates have underscored a continued emphasis on the program as part of a broader modernization of strategic forces.
In April, the defense ministry noted a successful launch as part of a test program, signaling ongoing evaluation of the system’s performance and readiness for potential future employment. These milestones are typically discussed as steps within a larger research and development trajectory rather than immediate deployment, reflecting a careful approach to modernization and strategic signaling.
How Russia and the United States coordinate on limits
U.S. officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about Poseidon and similar projects, calling for cautious assessment of their implications for international security. Individuals involved in defense policy discussions have described these programs as areas worth careful scrutiny given their potential to alter strategic stability. Some observers have labeled certain projects as unlikely to contribute positively to global security or as costly ventures that could divert resources from other priorities.
After the Sarmat program activities, U.S. defense authorities stated that these tests did not necessarily represent a direct threat and noted that Russia had given advance notice before testing. This exchange fits into a broader pattern of transparency expectations that accompany strategic arms discussions between Moscow and Washington.
Currently, the two nations are operating under a long-standing framework for strategic arms control. The newer iteration of this framework has guided reductions and limits on nuclear warheads, bombers, ICBMs, and SLBMs over time. While formal agreements have experienced changes and extensions, both sides have emphasized the goal of maintaining strategic stability through dialogue and verification measures. Officials have argued that continuing engagement provides space to explore new approaches to arms control, even as modernization proceeds on both sides.