Putin: Russia probably has the means to counter hypersonic weapons

　　China News Agency, Moscow, June 14-Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed in the "Weekly News" program broadcast on the 14th that Russia is very likely to possess means to counter hypersonic weapons.

　　Putin said that Russia is a global leader in research and development of new equipment such as hypersonic weapons. In the future, other military powers in the world will also have such equipment, but from 2018 to date, no country (except Russia) has announced that it is equipped with such weapons.

　　Putin said that the hypersonic missile is so fast that no country can intercept it yet. But when other countries also possess hypersonic weapons, Russia will give them a "surprise", and it is very likely that Russia already has the means to counter hypersonic weapons.

　　When explaining why Russia wanted to develop hypersonic weapons, Putin said that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, some people who claimed to be the winners of the Cold War redefined the world in disregard of international law. This change has made Russia painful and weak.

　　Putin said that when the United States announced its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, Russia must make plans based on this situation and ensure Russia’s unconditional security.

　　Putin also emphasized that in terms of nuclear power, Russia and the United States are in an even position in terms of the number of vehicles and warheads. But in the future of weapons research and development, Russia leads.

　　In 2018, Putin revealed for the first time in his State of the Union Address that Russia possesses a variety of hypersonic missiles such as "Pioneer" and "Dagger." Among them, "Pioneer" hypersonic missiles can fly at 20 times the speed of sound, with intercontinental strike capability, "is a weapon of the future." The "dagger" hypersonic missile can be installed on the MiG 31 fighter. The missile has a range of more than 2000 kilometers, can carry nuclear warheads or conventional warheads, and its flight speed exceeds 10 times the speed of sound.

　　Putin had previously stated that hypersonic missiles made other countries' huge expenditures to contain Russia meaningless.

　　Earlier, the United States admitted that it lags behind Russia in hypersonic weapons and will increase its research and development efforts. Recently, US President Trump revealed that the hypersonic missile developed by the United States is 17 times faster than the fastest missile in the world. (Finish)