On October 26, Russia announced that it had successfully test-fired the Haiyan nuclear-powered cruise missile. The missile flew 14,000 kilometers and still had not reached its limit range. U.S. President Trump called the move "should not", and the Russian President's Press Secretary further responded that Haiyan's test launch "should not affect Russia-US interaction." With the postponement of the NATO exercise and the Russia-US summit meeting very close, Russia announced that the test launch was successful at this time. What are the considerations?
Russia announces successful test-firing of nuclear-powered cruise missile
The test of the "Haiyan" nuclear-powered cruise missile was carried out on the 21st of this month. The missile flew in the air for about 15 hours and flew 14,000 kilometers, and did not reach the ultimate range of the weapon.Successfully verified the ability to circumvent the missile defense system.The Kremlin announced this news on the 26th.
In a report to Putin, General Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Glazimov, said the missile’s performance characteristics enable it to ensure “precise strikes on targets under strict protection at almost any distance.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin:Speaking of the test of the "Haiyan" nuclear-powered cruise missile, I have received relevant reports from military-industrial enterprises and also learned about the assessment of the Ministry of Defense.
During a visit to the United States on the 26th, the Special Representative of the Russian President Dmitryyev said that the Russian side had informed the United States of the information about the successful test of the "Haiyan" missile.
Trump: Russia's test launch of nuclear-powered cruise missile is "inappropriate"
In response, US President Trump said on the 27th that Russia’s test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile “Haiyan” was “unsuitable”.
"A war that was supposed to end in a week will soon enter its fourth year." Trump, who is visiting Asia, said aboard the US presidential plane Air Force One that Russia should let the Russia-Ukraine conflict end instead of test missiles.
Trump also said that the United States deployed a nuclear submarine near the coast of Russia, so "there is no need to fly to 8,000 miles" (14,000 kilometers is about 8,600 miles).
Russian President's press secretary: the test should not affect Russian-American interactions
Asked about Trump’s remarks, Russian President’s press secretary, Peskov, said: The experiment should not affect the interaction between Russia and the United States.
Peskov also said, Russia is guided by national interests and committed to safeguarding security.The research and development of new weapon systems is based on this mission orientation, including the announced 'Haiyan' system.
He also said, At present, Russian-US relations are at the lowest level, and there are only weak efforts to restore the relationship.Russia is open to engagement.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov also said on Thursday that Russia strictly complies with the provisions of the bilateral agreement with the United States on ballistic missile launches and strategic exercises, and there has been no deviation from the document requirements.
What are Russia's considerations for announcing the test launch at this time?
The test of the "Haiyan" nuclear-powered cruise missile was carried out on 21st of this month, at the time of NATO's annual routine nuclear exercises "solid midday"; the Russian side publicly announced this news on 26th, after Trump announced the suspension of the plan for a meeting with Putin on 21st local time.
According to the analysis, Russia chose to conduct the "Haiyan" test and release relevant information at this time, first of all, it was a direct response to NATO exercises; In addition, it is also a direct response to the United States' construction of the "Golden Dome" missile defense system, and it also uses the "Haiyan" to bring the United States back to the negotiating table of the "New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty" as soon as possible.
A direct response to NATO exercises
The annual NATO routine nuclear exercises “Fort Midnight” were held in the Netherlands from 13 to 22 December, with the participation of 14 NATO member states. More than 2,000 members from all member states, about 70 aircraft participated in the exercises, including “double capability” models with both conventional strike and nuclear strike capabilities.
Analysts believe that air-based tactical nuclear strike capabilities were also demonstrated during the "Firm Noon" exercise. For example, the use of F-35 fighter jets as stealth nuclear weapons throwing platforms has strong deterrent attributes. Therefore, Russia has demonstrated another technical path, which can allow nuclear-powered cruise missiles to fly for a long time and bypass the other side's early warning and anti-missile systems to strike.
"Petrel" missile will have a major impact on "Golden Dome"
In September this year, U.S. media that the Pentagon had completed the design plan for the "Golden Dome" missile defense system. According to Trump's previous statements, the "Golden Dome" would integrate with the existing U.S. missile defense capabilities, and once fully built, would be able to intercept missiles launched from elsewhere in the world and even space.
Analysts believe that the "Golden Dome" missile defense system is to strengthen the counterbalance against Russia's nuclear deterrent capabilities, while the Russian side demonstrates the "Haiyan" nuclear-powered cruise missile, is to transmit a signal to the United States - the strategic anti-missile system that the United States wants to build is useless in the face of "Haiyan".
Krapivnik, a former U.S. Army officer, said that at present, when the United States sets up radar and air defense systems, it usually targets ballistic missiles with specific trajectories, so the defense range does not need to cover the whole country. However, the "Haiyan" missile "can fly in the air for 16 hours or even longer." If it is necessary to defend against the "Haiyan" missile, the defense scope of the United States must cover the whole country, and the difficulty and cost of defense will be greatly increased.
Russia hopes that the United States will return to the negotiating table of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty as soon as possible
In addition, the new Treaty on Strategic Weapons Reduction will expire in February next year.In September this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that if the United States did not take action to disrupt the existing balance, Russia would continue to comply with the treaty's core restrictions within a year after the New Treaty on Strategic Weapons Reduction expires.
Analysts believe that Russia at this time tested the "Haiyan" nuclear-powered cruise missile, and also put pressure on the U.S. side, hoping that this will allow the United States to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, to address the treaty between the United States and Russia with important strategic attributes, so that the United States can express its attitude and position as soon as possible.